Nations League I Belgium – France: Why the Red Devils only see the ghost of Openda

“A ghost“. The RTBF was not really hands-off when judging Loïs Openda‘s performance against Italy (2-2) last Thursday. The Belgian media awarded a very small 3/10 to the attacker of the Red Devils, lined up at the start of the match by his coach Domenico Tedesco It was the fourth consecutive start for the former Lensois in the selection, a first for him But this sequence did not allow him to put in. end to his shortage in the national team A phenomenon which is increasingly perplexing in Belgium.

Openda had, however, started his adventure well with the Red Devils under the orders of Roberto Martinez, scoring two goals in his first five selections despite being a substitute. But his goal counter has not changed since the arrival of Tedesco on the Belgian bench. In 17 caps, including 8 starts, the 24-year-old striker has not found the net once. He stood out last month against Israel (3-1) with an assist and two penalties caused, one of which he missed. But this seems like the exception that proves the rule.

His performance in selection is radically different from that he displays at club. The Belgian remains in two seasons with more than 20 league goals, first in Ligue 1 with Lens (21) then in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig (24). He got off to a similar start this season with 5 goals in 9 matches for the German club, in all competitions. And he approached this October gathering with his selection in confidence after scoring in his last two outings in the league, against Augsburg (4-0) and Heidenheim (0-1).

The contrast is striking. But he can explain himself. Already by the style of play advocated by Tedesco, rather based on possession, which does not necessarily correspond to Openda’s profile. “I think the problem is deeper than just him and scoringanalyzed Guillaume Gillet, former Belgian international who played for Nantes and Lens, for RTBF last month. In terms of general animation, we must find other alternatives to bring it into good conditions. The danger comes from the sides, we are not using Openda’s qualities even if he will score from time to time from crosses.”

Openda is rather cut out for a team focused on transition play, as was the case in Lens under the orders of Franck Haise, or in Leipzig with Marco Rose. A swallower of space, he can further exploit his major asset, speed, in a game plan that favors verticality and depth. The Belgian striker also benefits in Leipzig from a support point like Benjamin Sesko and a creative element like Xavi Simons to complement his qualities. He expresses himself particularly well in these conditions from which he does not necessarily benefit in the national team.

The former Lensois must adapt to another philosophy when he puts on the tunic of the Red Devils. Openda spares no effort in trying to play this role which doesn’t really suit him. “When we lose the ball, on counter-pressing, pressing, in deep runs, but also once we are in the last third of the pitch… The attacker must make calls, take spaceemphasized Tedesco last month. There are many points on which we must judge a striker, not just his number of goals. And Lois is really good on most of them.”

This goal is no less essential. Openda awaits it as a liberation as doubt creeps in more and more within him as this scarcity in selection continues. There Last Hour spoke of a “Nilis syndrome” last month, in reference to the legendary Belgian striker of the 90s, Luc Nilis, who remained without scoring for 1,131 minutes in the selection. Openda isn’t there yet, but it’s getting close. Mute against Italy, he is now 822 minutes without a goal in the Red Devils jersey.

The meeting with the France team looks like a golden opportunity to put an end to this series. It will be crucial for Belgium, only third in Group 2 of League A, three points behind leader Italy. A victory would allow the Red Devils to move ahead of the Blues in the standings. But also to return to success against the French after four consecutive defeats, including two this year, in the round of 16 of the Euro (1-0) then last month in this Nations League (2-0). It will certainly take something other than the ghost of Openda to experience this moment that the audience at the King Baudoin Stadium is waiting for so much.