Lens – Toulouse: 3-0 | Loïs Openda, author of a hat-trick, RC Lens consolidates its place as runner-up to Paris Saint-Germain

Openda only needed a good half hour to correct Toulouse (60th, 86th, 90th + 2), or rather to help do so. “I choked them with the help of my teammates, we choked them all“, he supported, big smile on his lips at the microphone of Premium Video, in reference to a song that the Lensois used to sing in the event of victory. “It took a while to open.”commented coach Franck Haise, regarding the broad but late success of his family.

Fourth hat-trick of a substitute in L1 in the 21st century

The coaching of the 51-year-old technician paid off, since it was off the bench that Loïs Openda lived her evening of glory. It is only the fourth time in the 21st century that a substitute has scored a hat-trick in Ligue 1. Author of an excellent cross for him to unblock the situation, Florian Sotoca did not start either. “I put the best on the bench, it’s easier”, quipped the Lensois coach, Openda saluting “the correct connection“he has with his friend, since the beginning of the exercise.

The Belgian centre-forward found the net a second time, opportunistically. “We call it a surface foxhe gargles. I was expecting this ball, I was ready.” Then came the time for the icing on the cake: “This strike is thanks to the confidence of the first two goals” Openda, moved, then clarified how much this hat-trick meant to him, beyond football: “I had this rage to want to score, also for one of my relatives who died. I think he is happy.”

After a series of four Ligue 1 days crowned with one goal each, the 22-year-old striker experienced a low period. Here it is swept away brilliantly. “It was not easy in the last six matches, I had the support of my teammates, and especially the coach, who boosted me a bit with what he saidhe explains. I answered well today. This must continue. To the point of taking off against Sotoca (7 goals to 6)? If he finishes at 20 goals, I will be very happy for him“, assures his teammate.

Openda is not there yet. He is already savoring the first hat-trick of his career, the ball kept at stake: “In the Nederlands (with Speed ​​Arnhem, Editor’s note), I always put doubles, the third did not want to pass“Haise congratulated him soberly, in front of the microphones. The collective above all.”He was right to take a short week of vacation, he found the juice, it was good“, even teased the one who is delighted to have 30 points – 2 less than PSG, who have not yet played – after 13 days: “It’s a strong signal.”

Thirty units on the clock, including twenty-one thanks to a clear round at home. Even if RC Lens had withdrawn from their six away games since the start of the season, they would still be in the first half of the table, up to Monaco, 7th. The fervor of Bollaert and the cohesion of the group, here is what retains the star of the day: “It’s a lot of love for his supporters (…) and my teammates were happy for me. We have a good state of mind, we are all welded.”