NAPLES: Rasmus Hojlund gave Napoli their first points in this season's Champions League after combining with Kevin De Bruyne to score twice in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon in Naples.
Denmark striker Hojlund netted in each half to give Serie A champions Napoli a big win in front of relieved fans at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Both of the 22-year-old's strikes came via De Bruyne whose magic boots conjured up both assists, denying Sporting who levelled in the 62nd minute through a Luis Suarez penalty.
"It was a tough start to this campaign in the Champions League... we showed our character today and played really well against the Portuguese champions," said Hojlund.
"Kevin is a legend of football. He has so much quality that every time he has the ball all I have to do is find space and I know he'll find me."
De Bruyne's excellent performance was a good sign for Napoli supporters after the Belgian star showed clear signs of irritation towards coach Antonio Conte when he was substituted in Sunday's 2-1 defeat at AC Milan.
The 34-year-old swore when being replaced at the San Siro before stomping over to the bench, and on Tuesday Conte said that his star player would not be given another chance to behave in a way he considered disrespectful.
"There was never any problem. I'm a winner and I want to play and make the difference. Everything has been said," De Bruyne insisted to Sky.
"There isn't any problem, neither with the team nor the boss. I just want to play football and enjoy it and move on."
De Bruyne was key to Napoli taking the lead in the 36th minute as he burst from in front of his own area before beautifully sliding through Hojlund who calmly slotted past Sporting goalkeeper Rui Silva.
And he was supplier again with 11 minutes remaining with a teasing, inswinging cross from the left flank which allowed Hojlund to nip in front of Silva and head home the winning goal.
The home fans exploded with joy at Hojlund's third goal since arriving from Manchester United, as the hosts looked lost once Colombia forward Suarez stroked his spot-kick past Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
But De Bruyne was on hand to create the winner, and Milinkovic-Savic made sure of the points with a superb stop to deny Hojlund's Denmark teammate Morten Hjulmand from heading Sporting level in the final seconds of the game.