CREMONA, ITALY — Rasmus Højlund delivered a masterclass in clinical finishing, netting twice to guide third-placed Napoli to a comprehensive 0-2 victory over 11th-placed Cremonese at Stadio Giovanni Zini. The Danish striker's ruthless efficiency proved the difference as the visitors dominated proceedings, launching 22 shots at goal compared to the hosts' meager six attempts.
Højlund needed just 13 minutes to announce his intentions, converting from very close range to the bottom right corner after Napoli's early pressure finally told. The opening goal set the tone for what would become a relentless attacking display from Antonio Conte's side. The striker doubled his tally on the stroke of halftime, firing a right-footed shot from the centre of the box straight down the middle after Scott McTominay's perfectly weighted assist. The timing proved devastating for Cremonese, who trudged off at the interval knowing their task had become mountainous.
The tactical battle revealed Napoli's superiority in the final third despite the teams sharing possession almost equally at 52.5%-47.5%. Scott McTominay controlled the midfield tempo, dictating play from deep positions while Giovanni Di Lorenzo provided width and defensive solidity down the right flank. Cremonese's defensive structure, marshalled by Federico Baschirotto and Matteo Bianchetti, held firm for long periods but lacked the quality in possession to relieve the pressure. Alberto Grassi and Martín Payero worked tirelessly in midfield but found themselves constantly retreating as wave after wave of Napoli attacks crashed forward.
Napoli's attacking dominance manifested in stark statistical terms. The visitors peppered Emil Audero's goal relentlessly, forcing the Cremonese goalkeeper into a heroic performance with six saves throughout the contest. Napoli's pressure also yielded 10 corners compared to Cremonese's solitary set piece, highlighting the territorial advantage Conte's men enjoyed. Matteo Politano and David Neres caused constant problems on the flanks, with Politano particularly influential before departing late with an injury.
The turning point arrived with Højlund's first goal, which fundamentally altered Cremonese's approach. Manager Davide Ballardini had set his side up to frustrate and counter, with Jamie Vardy and Antonio Sanabria leading the line, but once behind, the hosts were forced to abandon their cautious gameplan. This opened spaces that Napoli ruthlessly exploited, with Stanislav Lobotka and Eljif Elmas finding pockets between the lines. Cremonese's 13 fouls compared to Napoli's eight reflected their growing desperation as the match wore on.
Looking ahead, Cremonese will host Fiorentina on January 4, while Napoli will host Lazio on the same date as both sides continue their Serie A campaigns.