Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund's struggles in front of goal were compounded on Tuesday night as he missed a penalty, but it was Scotland's Scott McTominay who emerged as the hero for Napoli in their 2-0 Champions League victory over Qarabag.
Hojlund's Night of Frustration
The Danish forward, whose move to the Italian champions is set to become permanent for £38 million next summer, has now failed to score for Napoli since the start of October. This is a stark contrast to his initial impact, where he netted five times in his first six matches after arriving on loan.
Hojlund's difficult evening saw him spurn several chances before his big moment arrived in the 56th minute. After a foul on Giovanni Di Lorenzo by Marko Jankovic, Napoli were awarded a spot-kick. Hojlund stepped up and fired a powerful left-footed effort, but Qarabag goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski produced a superb one-handed save, diving correctly to his left to keep the scores level.
McTominay to the Rescue
With the deadlock still intact, it was Scott McTominay who broke through for Antonio Conte's side. The opportunity came in the 65th minute when Kochalski could only parry a dangerous corner onto the path of the Scottish midfielder, who was perfectly positioned to head home from close range.
McTominay, fresh from his spectacular overhead kick that helped Scotland qualify for the World Cup, was instrumental in sealing the victory. Just seven minutes later, his acrobatic attempt was deflected into his own net by the unfortunate Marko Jankovic, putting the result beyond doubt.
Champions League Implications
The 2-0 win provides a significant boost for Napoli's European campaign. The team now has seven points from their first five matches in the league phase, lifting them to 18th in the table. A top 24 finish is the target, as it would secure a place in the play-offs for the knockout stages.
Despite the defeat, surprise package Qarabag remain in 16th place, demonstrating the competitive nature of this season's Champions League format. For Napoli, the three points were crucial, but the ongoing goal drought of their expensive striker, Rasmus Hojlund, will be a concern for manager Antonio Conte.
