Napoli overcame Sporting 2-1 at the Stadio Maradona on Wednesday night to record their first Champions League win of the season.
Rasmus Hojlund broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark when he latched onto Kevin De Bruyne's superb pass and fired past the onrushing keeper.
After the restart Luis Suarez converted from 12 yards to level for the visitors but with ten minutes left on the clock, De Bruyne and Hojlund combined again for the winner as the Dane rose to head in the Belgian's cross.
Antonio Conte had the following to say after the game:
"We've beaten a very good team and that should be stressed. Sporting are a top side and we won playing some great football. The lads responded brilliantly, both the starters and those who came on and injected energy.
“It's a shame about the game in San Siro because we didn't deserve to lose, but these things can happen. The main thing is we showed our character tonight.
“The lads played with real determination and full focus in every moment – that's the sort of hunger to win we must show all the time.”
Hojlund shared his thoughts after claiming the man of the match award with his double:
“We played with swagger today. We wanted to win this game and we did so deservedly.
“I'm grateful to Kevin for the assists. It's an honour for me to play alongside a football legend like him. I know that when he's on the ball he can always come up with something. I try to read his passes.
“Now we have to carry on like this. There's a long way to go and I'm excited about playing and giving my all to helping the team achieve our goals this season.”
The provider of both goals, De Bruyne offered his own take:
“We played really well. I'm pleased with my assists but mainly because we got the goals we needed to win.
“I'm happy Hojlund scored. I think he's a player with huge potential but we have a strong, competitive squad. It's really important that everyone gives their best so that we can reach the targets we want to achieve this season.”
Leonardo Spinazzola also had his say:
“We knew that Sporting were a fine team. We played just as well as them and deserved to win.
“We're a solid group and we know how to respond to any emergencies. We pulled out all the stops to get this result and take home the three points.”
Napoli 2-1 Sporting (HT 1-0)
Scorers: Hojlund 36, Suarez 62 (pen), Hojlund 79.
NAPOLI: Milinkovic-Savic; Spinazzola, Beukema, Juan Jesus, Gutierrez (Olivera 81) Lobotka, Politano (Neres 69), Anguissa, De Bruyne (Gilmour 81), McTominay (Noa Lang 69) Hojlund (Lucca 90).
Coach: Conte.
SPORTING: Rui Silva; Fresneda, Quaresma (Debast 67), Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo; Hjulmand, João Simões (Morita 76) Quenda, Trincão (Goncalves 46), Catamo (Suarez 46) Ioannidis Santos).
Coach: Rui Borges.
Referee: Makkelie (Netherlands).
