Leipzig's top scorer Openda: The asthma sprinter

Pressure has accompanied Lois Openda all his life. It started shortly after birth, when asthma almost took away his breath. A year in the hospital and an operation followed. The doctors did not trust him to take part in competitive sports later on. Then, against all odds, when he was by far the fastest player in Standard Liege's academy, the next problem came. Openda could not afford the membership fees. A teammate helped out and the career continued.

The path led him in the summer to Leipzig, where the pressure also could not have been greater. Never before did the Saxons spend so much money (up to 45 million euros) on a player. Never before has a newcomer had to fill such big shoes, namely those of the top scorer Christopher Nkunku, who moved to Chelsea. Never has a Leipzig transfer dragged on so long, the negotiations between Lens and RB with umpteen rejected offers provided weeks of the best summer entertainment.

Openda was not impressed by this at all and goes on Wednesday (21.00 clock/DAZN) as Leipzig's top scorer in the pre-decisive game against Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League. If Leipzig wins, they can start planning for the round of 16 just halfway through the group stage. Five points ahead would be it at best already on place three.

And Openda picks up speed in time. The 23-year-old has scored seven goals across the competition, in addition to two assists. Only on Sunday he provided with his first Bundesliga double pack for the victory in Darmstadt. However, the six league goals do not make the Belgian satisfied. Yes, he is happy with it already. "But six are not enough," said Openda.

This also sees coach Marco Rose so. "I'm not completely satisfied with him yet either," the 47-year-old said. He is ready to work and an invigoration as a guy, he said. Still, he said, there are moments "when he sometimes doesn't tie up a ball he needs to tie up, doesn't find the right moment to use his speed in depth, the play activity, the trigger in pressing." There are little things that he can still do better.

Small things that make the difference at royal league level just. For Leipzig, so much should already be clear after a few weeks, will only be a stopover for Openda. He lets that slip himself. "RB is a good club for me to become a better player," said the twelve-time international. Next summer, the bosses should still be able to prevent a transfer. If Openda maintains his level or becomes even better, however, it might be difficult in 2025. Especially since there is currently already talk of an exit clause in the contract.

If you look at the life of Openda, it should not be surprising if he makes it one day to one of the biggest European clubs. Asthma is still his constant companion, however Openda has the condition under control. "It doesn't affect my body or the way I play. I feel very good," said Openda, looking back once again to his childhood: "The doctors really didn't believe in me - unlike my mother. She was the only one who believed in me, said I could do it."