Perfect debut: Höjlund escapes, scores and celebrates Napoli victory

Rasmus Höjlund scored in his first game for Napoli. picture alliance / ZUMAPRESS.com

On the final deadline day of the summer transfer window, the already strong Scudetto winner from Naples had once again strengthened its squad with a notable signing - with striker Höjlund, who never really settled in at Manchester United and who, after Lukaku's long-term absence, was directly in Antonio Conte's starting eleven for the away game in Florence.

And lo and behold: Conte immediately proved to have a golden touch.

The 22-year-old Dane eluded the Fiorentina defense after an outstanding through ball from Spinazzola and coolly slotted home the decisive 2-0 (14'). Earlier, the next top summer signing, De Bruyne, had coolly converted from the penalty spot to make it 1-0 (6').

The hosts in Tuscany were actually quite happy with this halftime score, which also remained the same at halftime. The reigning champions were extremely dominant and only failed to score further goals, for example, because De Bruyne was denied by the very strong veteran de Gea (24').

Coached by Stefano Pioli for the second time this season after 2017-2019, Viola, with their renowned strike duo of Kean and Dzeko, only woke up after the 3-0 goal by SSC newcomer Beukema in the 51st minute. It was too late, even though the Violets were certainly making some moves toward a major comeback.

Meret's substitute, Milinkovic-Savic, had to make several desperate saves in the Neapolitan goal, conceding the first goal of the Serie A season from Ranieri in the 79th minute and seeing a Gosens header fly just wide of his own goal in the 85th minute. In the end, however, Conte's eleven held on to a deserved 3-1 win, countering the attack of record champions Juventus, who had also started perfectly ( a wild 4-3 win in the Derby d'Italia against Inter ), and moving back to first place in the table, which is now slowly becoming meaningful for the first time, with nine points and a goal difference of 6-1.

Napoli's next game is an away game against Manchester City during the first Champions League matchday this week (Thursday, 9 p.m., LIVE! on kicker), before a Serie A clash with Pisa on September 22nd (8:45 p.m.). Fiorentina, who started with a meager two points from three matchdays, will aim for their first win of the season on Sunday (September 21st, 6 p.m.) against Como.