Stats show Hojlund struggling at Napoli under Allegri

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Lorenzo Bettoni | Last updated Sep 23, 2026 5:58 AM ET

Rasmus Hojlund has averaged just one touch inside the opposition box every 26 minutes across his first five Serie A appearances this season, with only Cagliari’s Paul Mendy recording fewer touches per minute.

Napoli have had a struggling start to the new Serie A season, collecting just seven points in the opening five games, the fewest since 2015-16.

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Rasmus Hojlund of Napoli reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

The Partenopei have netted only seven times so far this season, and only Cagliari in the top ten have scored fewer goals, with five.

It is probably no coincidence that Napoli and Cagliari’s starting centre-forwards have the fewest touches inside the opponents’ box in the opening five games of the campaign.

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 12: Paul Mendy of Cagliari Calcio celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Parma Calcio at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on September 12, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

As reported by Opta (via TMW), Napoli’s Hojlund has collected 14, one every 26 minutes. Among the centre-forwards who have played at least 350 minutes so far, only Cagliari’s Mendy has recorded fewer, with one touch inside the opposition’s box every 33 minutes.

Hojlund has scored two goals in five Serie A games so far, while Mendy, 19, has scored once.

FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Massimiliano Allegri manager of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Stadio Artemio Franchi on September 20, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Reports in Italy indicate that Napoli boss Allegri is frustrated with his Napoli players, especially the most experienced ones, as he feels they’ve shown a poor attitude in the season’s opening games.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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