Newsletter

Loïs Openda, the comeback

Loïs Apenda. SAMEER AL-DOUMY / AFP

In great shape with RC Lens before the international break, the Belgian should confirm his good dynamics this Saturday evening against Stade Rennes (9 p.m.).

A promising start to the year. Before a period of scarcity. Scorer against Paris Saint-Germain (3-1) on 1is January 2023, then against RC Strasbourg Alsace (2-2) ten days later, Loïs Openda then had two difficult months between mid-January and mid-March. Two months without finding the way to the nets. Two months during which he even lost, for a time, his place as holder. Two months, too, which correspond to the less good shot of RC Lens. But fortunately for the Blood and Gold – and for him – the Belgian recovered his health before the international break.

He retained the confidence of his coach

During his bad spell, the 23-year-old striker was able to count on the support of his coach. Even if he (again) relegated him to the bench of substitutes in February, preferring him (in another register) Florian Sotoca, Franck Haise never stopped believing in him. At least that’s what he showed to reporters. As at the end of February after his seventh game in a row without a goal in Ligue 1: “Lois also had chances that he didn’t convert. But it is not a question of individuality. Lois is not lacking in confidence. He is active, he makes a good entrance. He will score soon, we just have to go and get some more“, he assured following the meeting against Montpellier Hérault SC (1-1).

If he insisted on defending him publicly, rather than rushing or teasing him, it is because the former Speed ​​Arnhem striker works on trust. The Lensois technician explained it well at the start of the year, when everything was going well for the Belgian international: “Lois remains a young player. Many need to be accompanied, reassured sometimes, a little piqued too. All players need a relationship of trust, honesty, a few words, a gesture from the coach, or other staff members, because they are attentive. You have to do a little more with some, a little more exchanges, this is the case with him“, he enlightened.

A real comeback…to be confirmed

At the beginning of March, thanks to the confidence of his trainer, Loïs Openda regained his place as a starter… And the way to the nets. He scored a hat-trick – and an assist – against Clermont Foot 63 (0-4) on March 12, 2023 and a double against SCO Angers (3-0) six days later, allowing the Sang et Or to chain two victories in a row, which had not happened in the league since November 2022. This comeback, the Belgian owes it to his self-sacrifice and his discipline: “This success is due to hard work. When you don’t score, it’s always annoying but when you work well and make an effort for the collective, it comes back. There have always been attackers who do not score in one period. Lois is a striker who knows how to score, he has that in him. It’s good that it happened this afternoon and even more so“, affirmed Franck Haise after the match against Clermont Foot 63.

To hope to finish on the podium at the end of the season – it is currently in third place in the standings – RC Lens will (absolutely) have to be able to count on the efficiency of its center forward. Starting this Saturday (9 p.m.), on the lawn of Stade Rennes, a direct competitor in the race for Europe. And a tough opponent, as the Sang et Or coach points out: “We know that it will be difficult on many points. At Roazhon Park, there is also a great atmosphere and that drives them. But we also have arguments to cause them problems.” Among them, Loïs Openda.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending