Champions League Encounter Highlights
In a thrilling Champions League encounter, Rasmus Højlund expressed his appreciation for Kevin De Bruyne following their collaboration in Napoli’s 2-1 victory over Sporting CP. Højlund, on loan from Manchester United, opened the scoring thanks to a perfectly timed through ball from De Bruyne, which showcased the midfield maestro’s playmaking abilities.
After Luis Suárez equalized for Sporting from the penalty spot, Højlund struck again, netting his second goal from another assist by De Bruyne in the second half.
“Kevin is a legend of the sport,” Højlund remarked. “Whenever he has the ball, I just try to find some space. I’m incredibly thankful to share the pitch with a player of his caliber.”
De Bruyne’s Impact and Partnership
De Bruyne’s contributions echoed his past success with Erling Haaland at Manchester City, as both strikers are known for their ability to exploit spaces effectively. Reflecting on the partnership, De Bruyne noted,
“They are quite similar. Erling has had an incredible career, and while Rasmus also likes to make runs, he sometimes prefers to come to meet the ball.”
Since transitioning from Manchester United to Napoli, Højlund has significantly improved his scoring form, tallying three goals in five matches, a stark contrast to his challenges during two seasons at United. His record in Europe remains impressive; he has netted seven goals in just eight Champions League matches, reinforcing his status as a prolific forward.
De Bruyne’s Milestones
On the other hand, De Bruyne has now achieved a remarkable 27 assists in Champions League play, moving him past icons like Zinedine Zidane and Andrés Iniesta on the all-time assists leaderboard for midfielders, placing him fifth overall in this category. His performances in his first season with Napoli, which began after a decade-long tenure at Manchester City, has already resulted in five goals contributed across seven matches.
Addressing Controversy
The day was particularly significant for De Bruyne, who has had to navigate some recent controversy regarding his reaction to being substituted in a prior loss against AC Milan. Following that match, Napoli’s coach Antonio Conte addressed concerns about De Bruyne’s attitude, stating,
“I hope he was upset with the result, not other matters.”
Conte later clarified that any issues between them had been resolved. De Bruyne echoed this sentiment, emphasizing his focus and commitment:
“There was never any problem. I’m a winner and I want to make a difference on the field. Everything has been clarified. There’s no issue.”
De Bruyne’s exit in the match against Sporting CP was met with applause as he was replaced by Billy Gilmour, underscoring the respect he commands from fans in his European debut at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
This performance not only solidified Højlund’s burgeoning reputation but also reaffirmed De Bruyne’s role as an essential asset to Napoli’s campaign in Europe this season.
