Lois Openda is a shadow of himself at RB Leipzig this season. The 25-year-old is miles away from the number and template numbers of the previous season. But under interim coach Zsolt Löw, Openda seems to bloom again.
24 goals, seven templates – Lois Openda was hard to stop last season. Only the “extraterrestrial” Harry Kane (FC Bayern Munich/36 goals) and Serhou Guirassy (VfB Stuttgart/28 goals) outperformed the Leipzig striker in the goal scorer list. Openda not only convinced with his final strength, but also with its versatility: Again and again he skillfully staged his teammates and was thus directly involved in a total of 31 Leipzig goals.
Form crisis after the EM
But after the high -altitude flight in the league, an unexpected slump followed. The European Championship last summer did not bring the hoped -for momentum for Openda, but marked the beginning of a dry spell. The fast, beefy Belgian suddenly seemed inhibited, self -confidence in his own actions seemed lost. In several games he stayed pale, searched in vain for his usual punch and was sometimes even questioned by critics.
Lois Openda (right) and his teammates had fewer reasons to cheer than hoped for this season. (Archive)
Exemption in Wolfsburg
The relief was all the greater when Openda finally scored again in the away game at VfL Wolfsburg. With his leadership, he not only overcame his goal crisis, but also paved the way to the important one 3: 2 away win. The scene after the goal spoke volumes: Openda sprinted directly into the arms of interim coach Zsolt Löw. No sheet seems to fit between players and trainers. “The coach told me before the game that I would meet and when I scored the goal, I was very happy,” said Openda in the interview after training on Tuesday (April 15, 2025).
New momentum under Löw
Not only Openda, but the entire team looks liberated under Löw. After Change of coach -Löw took over the team from Marco Rose after the cup semi-final against VfB Stuttgart (1: 3)-the mood is positive. The team has the destination Champions League firmly in view. “We had the change of coach, but the mood is still good and the goals of winning all the remaining games are the same. But of course we are happy that we are in the first four in the table again,” said Openda.
Löw away in summer
Should RB Leipzig achieve his destinations, Löw could go. He had explained from the first day that he will do that. In summer he wants to return to his post as chief strategist of the football department of the Red Bull Group. In the short time with the team, he still seems to be able to give the players new confidence. Bartosch Gaul, who, at the request of Löw, is also part of the coaching team, which is the case, should also work on this.
Zsolt Löw (left) with his second assistant coach Bartosch Gaul.
Next victory against Kiel?
The fans now hope that Openda keeps its rising form and leads the team to important victories. With its speed and punch, it is an indispensable part of the team. The upcoming games will show whether RB Leipzig can take the swing and secure one of the coveted Champions League places. It starts on Saturday (April 19, 2025) against Holstein Kiel.
SST/ten/dpa
