Vardy's magic doesn't work on champions: Hojlund's brace restores Napoli's confidence
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Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 28.12.25. | 19:22
After the loss to Udinese, the Serie A title holders celebrate an important away win at Cremonese (2-0)
When Romelu Lukaku went down with a serious injury in the summer, Antonio Conte reacted instantly. His solution was bold: Rasmus Hojlund, signed from Manchester United.
In Cremona, against Jamie Vardy's team, the Danish striker showed exactly why.
Two goals, total authority, and a 2-0 win over Cremonese that keeps Napoli just one point behind leaders Milan. The champions are alive - and Hojlund is a big reason why.
Hojlund the star of the show so far ⏸️#CremoneseNapoli pic.twitter.com/9qTYQLkRKB
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) December 28, 2025
The Dane had already delivered in the big moments: a brace against Juventus, two more versus Sporting in the Champions League, and a goal and an assist against Milan in the Supercoppa. But in the so-called "routine" games, his numbers were lighter. Until now.
Cremonese were anything but harmless, having already shocked Milan and Bologna this season, and Napoli arrived fatigued after Supercoppa duties. Conte still went all in with his strongest XI, and it paid off immediately.
After ten minutes, Hojlund reacted quickest to Spinazzola's rebound to open the scoring. It was his fifth Serie A goal this season - more than he managed in the entire previous Premier League campaign with Manchester United.
He missed another big chance, but made no mistake in first-half stoppage time, ghosting into the box to meet Politano's cross and double Napoli's lead. Game over.
“What a great decision looks like.” - Hojlund pic.twitter.com/eOeTtqJIVT
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) December 28, 2025
The Partenopei managed the second half with control and maturity, securing three crucial points before a brutal run of fixtures: Lazio, Verona, Inter, Parma and Sassuolo, followed by Copenhagen, Juventus and Chelsea.
The storm is coming, but with Hojlund firing and Lukaku close to returning, Conte's Napoli look ready for it.
SERIE A - MATCHDAY 17
Saturday
Parma - Fiorentina 1-0 (0-0)
/Sorensen 48/
Lecce - Como 0-3 (0-1)
/Paz 20, Ramon 66, Douvikas 75/
Torino - Cagliari 1-2 (1-1)
/Vlasic 28 - Prati 45, Kilicsoj 66/
Udinese - Lazio 1-1 (0-0)
/Davis 90+5 - Solet 80 og/
Pisa - Juventus 0-2 (0-0)
/Calabresi 73 og, Yildiz 90+2/
Sunday
AC Milan - Hellas Verona 3-0 (1-0)
/Pulisic 45+1, Nkunku 48 pen, 53/
Cremonese - Napoli 0-2 (0-2)
/Hojlund 13, 45/
20.00: (1.80) Bologna (3.60) Sassuolo (5.10)
22.45: (3.90) Atalanta (3.60) Inter Milan (2.05)
Monday
22.45: (1.62) Roma (3.75) Genoa (6.00)
***odds are subject to change***
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