McTominay and Hojlund to the Rescue Again as Napoli Snatch Dramatic Late Win in Genoa

Napoli’s season has been anything but straightforward. Injuries, suspensions, patched-up line-ups and nerve-shredding finishes have become almost routine. And yet, when it mattered most on a tense Saturday night in Genoa, two familiar faces from Manchester United past once again stepped forward to keep the reigning champions alive and kicking.

Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund were the decisive figures as Napoli produced a last-gasp comeback to beat Genoa 3-2 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, a victory that felt less like a normal three points and more like another chapter in what Antonio Conte later described as a “crazy season”.

Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund Lead Napoli’s Late Show at Genoa

The evening started badly for Napoli. Within the opening exchanges, Genoa were awarded a penalty, and Ruslan Malinovskyi made no mistake from the spot, sending the home crowd into full voice and forcing Napoli onto the back foot far earlier than they would have liked.

But if this Napoli side have shown anything under Conte, it is resilience. They absorbed the early pressure and slowly began to impose themselves on the game. After 20 minutes, Rasmus Hojlund brought the visitors level, finishing coolly after a sharp attacking move that finally unsettled the Genoa defence.

Before the hosts had time to regroup, Scott McTominay struck. The Scotland international, who has quietly become one of Napoli’s most reliable performers this season, arrived late into the box and fired home to turn the game on its head. Suddenly, Napoli were 2-1 up and looked poised to take control.

Yet control has been a rare luxury for Conte this year.

Injury Blow as McTominay Is Forced Off

Napoli take all three points at the death

Just as Napoli seemed to be finding rhythm, another problem emerged. At half-time, McTominay was forced off through injury, replaced by January signing Giovane. The decision immediately raised alarm bells on the Napoli bench, and Conte’s body language suggested concern rather than caution.

Without McTominay’s energy and physical presence in midfield, the second half became increasingly uncomfortable. Genoa sensed vulnerability and pushed higher up the pitch, testing a Napoli side already stretched thin by injuries across the squad.

Their pressure paid off shortly after the hour mark when Lorenzo Colombo found the equaliser, bringing the score back to 2-2 and reigniting belief inside the stadium.

Things then went from bad to worse for Napoli. Defender Juan Jesus saw red, leaving Conte’s men to navigate the closing stages with ten players. At that point, a draw felt like the best-case scenario.

Napoli, though, had other ideas.

Last-Minute Drama Seals Another Napoli Escape

As the clock ticked into added time, Napoli threw caution to the wind. With bodies pushed forward and nerves jangling, the visitors earned a penalty after a prolonged VAR check. The decision silenced the Genoa crowd and handed Napoli a golden opportunity to steal the game.

Up stepped Rasmus Hojlund.

The Dane kept his nerve, sending the ball just under the arm of goalkeeper Justin Bijlow. It wasn’t the cleanest penalty, but it was the most important kick of the night. Napoli had their 3-2 lead back, and moments later, the final whistle confirmed another dramatic escape.

For Hojlund, it was a reminder of his growing importance. For Napoli, it was survival.

Conte Opens Up on McTominay Injury and Napoli’s “Crazy Season”

After the match, Antonio Conte’s focus quickly shifted from celebration to concern. The Napoli coach confirmed that McTominay has been battling a tendon issue for much of the season, a problem that flares up intermittently and limits his mobility.

“It’s a tendon problem he’s had since the start of the year,” Conte explained. “It hurts him from time to time. He can play, but not at full speed. I’d rather protect a key player than risk making things worse.”

Conte’s comments painted a broader picture of a squad running on fumes. Napoli’s injury list has been relentless, with Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne both enduring long spells on the sidelines. Add to that the absences of Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Billy Gilmour, and Conte’s frustrations are understandable.

“It’s a crazy season,” he admitted. “We have to think carefully about squad composition, the transfer market, and the fact that we can’t draw from the youth system. We’re constantly managing emergencies.”

The irony is that despite all of this, Napoli keep finding a way.

Hojlund Admits He Needs to Work on Penalties

Speaking to DAZN after the match, Hojlund was honest about his decisive penalty. Relief was written all over his face, but so was self-awareness.

“I was very lucky,” he said with a smile. “It was a big responsibility, very nerve-wracking. I probably need to train a bit more on penalties.”

The striker was quick to praise Antonio Vergara, whose late run forced the foul that led to the spot kick.

“Vergara has been amazing in the last month and a half,” Hojlund added. “He’s getting more confident, and he won that penalty. We fought to the last second, even with one man less.”

It was the kind of comment that underlines Napoli’s current mindset: imperfect, stretched, but united.

Napoli’s Season Hinges on Fitness and Timing

With a Coppa Italia clash against Cesc Fabregas’ Como looming, Napoli now wait anxiously for news on McTominay’s condition. Conte confirmed the midfielder will be assessed ahead of Tuesday’s match, while joking that he might have to dust off his boots himself.

“I’ll be playing soon,” Conte laughed. “There are rules stopping me — otherwise I could help.”

The joke landed because it carried a hint of truth. Napoli are running short, and every injury feels magnified. Yet, as long as players like McTominay and Hojlund keep delivering in decisive moments, belief remains.

This was not a polished performance. It was messy, dramatic, and emotionally exhausting. But in the context of Napoli’s season, it was also vital.

Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund didn’t just win a match in Genoa. They rescued another chapter of Napoli’s unpredictable campaign — and reminded everyone that sometimes, chaos still leads to glory.