Napoli assistant Cristian Stellini wants Rasmus Hojlund's loan spell with the Partenopei to end with the Denmark international moulding into a "complete striker". 

Hojlund joined the Serie A champions on loan from Manchester United in the summer and has adapted well to life back in Italy after leaving Atalanta back in 2023. 

The 22-year-old has scored nine goals in 23 appearances in all competitions for Napoli, the latest of which came in their Supercoppa Italiana semi-final win over AC Milan. 

Napoli are third in Serie A following their 2-2 draw with league leaders Inter at the weekend, and are well within the mix to seal a spot in the Champions League next season. 

Should they qualify for UEFA's flagship competition, they will have the option to make Hojlund's loan move a permanent one for a reported €44m (£38m) transfer fee. 

Hojlund has enjoyed regular game time following a serious injury to Romelu Lukaku in pre-season, though Stellini thinks the Dane has led the line well in his absence. 

"When he arrived, we had started the season and had a lot of games to play, so as he is an international, we barely saw him in practice in September and October," Stellini said.

"Despite that, he put in so much effort and humility, he works every day to improve, and we'd love to make him into a complete striker.

"He has a long way to go, but is already doing very well."

Napoli return to Serie A action on Wednesday, with 14th-placed Parma the visitors to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. 

Antonio Conte's team are in action in the earlier game, with the chance to close the gap to leaders Inter to just a point ahead of their league clash with lowly Lecce. 

During their stalemate with Inter, Conte, who was sent off and is set for a two-game touchline ban, opted to make just two changes to Inter's five in the contest. 

Sam Beukema was replaced by Noa Lang in the 78th minute, while Pasquale Mazzocchi came on in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time for Matteo Politano. 

"We are in good physical shape, and have been for a while now," Stellini added on the reasoning behind that decision. 

"We haven't had the options to rotate much, and we must have a little more patience with that, but getting back twice against Inter at San Siro is not easy for anyone.

"I think we deserved the draw, had a very strong start to the second half, were convinced that we could do damage.

"We're satisfied with the character, determination and the quality that we showed this evening."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Napoli – Scott McTominay

After a run of nine games without a goal, Scott McTominay has scored in his last two Serie A matches (three goals, as many as in his previous 20).

The Scotland international has only scored in three consecutive Serie A games once before, back in April, and will be keen to continue his good run of form here.

Parma – Mateo Pellegrino

Five of Mateo Pellegrino's nine Serie A goals have been headers, including his last league goal against Lecce.

Since his arrival at Parma in February 2025, no player has scored more headed goals in the competition (five, level with McTominay).

MATCH PREDICTION: NAPOLI WIN

Napoli are unbeaten in their last four Serie A matches against Parma (W3 D1), having never gone five consecutive top-flight games without a defeat against them.

Conte's team have also won four of their last five home Serie A matches against Parma (L1), including the two most recent encounters, and could secure three consecutive home victories against them for the very first time in the top-flight.

And their form at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona has been impressive. Napoli are unbeaten in their last 19 Serie A home games (W14 D5), which is the longest current unbeaten home run among the 20 teams in the league.

But Napoli have drawn their last two Serie A games. They have not drawn three consecutive matches in the competition since February 2025 (against Roma, Udinese and Lazio).

Parma, meanwhile, have won three of their last four Serie A away games (W3 D1), as many wins as in their previous 43 on the road (D17 L23).

Furthermore, Parma have scored in each of their last five away matches, after failing to score in their first four away games this campaign.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Napoli – 68.7%

Draw – 18.4%

Parma – 12.9%