Rasmus Hojlund has had a mixed spell at Napoli since joining the Serie A champions on loan in the summer.
After falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim, Rasmus Hojlund was sent on loan to Napoli.
Napoli have an obligation clause included in the deal to sign the Manchester United striker at the end of the season, but that depends on whether they qualify for the Champions League.
Hojlund had the perfect start, scoring on his debut against Fiorentina, but the Denmark international has had to deal with some criticism in recent weeks after failing to score for the club since the start of October.
To make matters worse, Hojlund missed a penalty in Napoli’s recent win over Qarabag in the Champions League.
Antonio Conte will be eager for Hojlund to return to his best form to help Napoli push for first place as they currently sit third in the Serie A table.
Rasmus Hojlund in training
Photo by SSC NAPOLI/SSC NAPOLI via Getty Images
Antonio Careca pinpoints Rasmus Hojlund’s struggles at Napoli
Since the beginning of the season, Hojlund has scored four goals in 12 matches for Napoli.
Hojlund will want to get back on the scoresheet when Napoli travel to Roma on Sunday.
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That would help lift some of the pressure off his shoulders after drawing criticism from former Napoli striker Antonio Careca.
Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb, Careca gave an honest verdict on Hojlund’s loan spell at Napoli so far, stating that he has struggled and shown nervousness at times.
Careca also suggested that Conte will call on alternatives unless Hojlund shows an improvement.
“He’s just arrived, so you have to be patient,” Careca said on Hojlund.
“I don’t know him personally, but you can see he wants to give his all. Maybe too much: he doesn’t always manage to express himself.
“He has a good left foot, but both in the league and the Champions League, I’ve seen him struggle a bit.
“He struggled to stop the ball, and he showed a nervousness that’s normal for his age. He has a lot of quality, but we just have to wait a bit longer.
“Conte, however, also has other options: Lucca seems more relaxed at the moment.”
Did Manchester United make a mistake sending Rasmus Hojlund on loan?
Qarabag goalkeeper explains penalty save to deny Rasmus Hojlund
Qarabag goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski saved a penalty from Hojlund during the week, but his team went on to lose the match 2-0.
Scott McTominay got on the scoresheet, while Hojlund was less fortunate.
Kochalski spoke to press after the match and explained his penalty save, as quoted by Idman.
“I usually choose a corner during penalties and throw myself to that side,” said Kochalski.
“Before the Napoli match, I had analysed two players, but Rasmus Hojlund was not among them. So I had to make a quick, instinctive decision.”