De Bruyne compares Hojlund to Haaland after his double in the Champions League

Kevin De Bruyne expressed great admiration for Rasmus Hojlund after his two goals helped Napoli defeat Sporting CP 2-1 in the Champions League, going as far as likening him to Erling Haaland.

In the match in Naples, Hojlund emerged as the hero with a double that brought crucial three points. In the 36th minute, he broke through following a precise through ball from De Bruyne to open the scoring. Then in the 79th minute, the Belgian midfielder delivered an accurate cross allowing his teammate to head home the winning goal. The duo’s quick synergy demonstrated strong chemistry and created a formidable attacking force for Napoli.

After the match, De Bruyne stated: "I think Rasmus possesses many qualities, quite similar to Haaland’s striker profile, both left-footed and adept at exploiting space. It was a fantastic night for him, and I believe Hojlund will help us score many goals moving forward." Regarding the second assist, he added: "I tried to find space and wait for the right moment to deliver the ball to Hojlund, and he finished the job perfectly."

The comparison to Haaland shows De Bruyne’s confidence in his new teammate, especially considering Hojlund’s previous struggles at Manchester United. In 95 appearances for the Red Devils, he scored only 26 goals, with the 2024-2025 season being particularly disappointing, netting just 4 times in the Premier League. Inconsistent form and tactical changes caused him to gradually lose his place.

However, at Napoli, the 22-year-old striker has rediscovered his scoring instinct. Including his recent brace, he has scored 3 goals in 5 matches across Serie A and the Champions League. The loan deal includes a purchase option worth 44 million euros if Napoli qualify for next season’s Champions League, making Hojlund’s future a hot topic.

The win against Sporting gives Napoli an important 3 points to rejoin the race before their Serie A match against Genoa on October 5. After the international break, they will travel to face PSV at Philips Stadium on October 21. With form on the rise, the question is whether Rasmus Hojlund can maintain this momentum to help Napoli advance deep into the Champions League.