Last week we wrote that for the first time this season in the Bundesliga, the devil had not been decisive. This weekend Openda wanted to put the dot on the “i”… and in what way!
Six minutes into the game, the Belgian sent a perfect cross to the head of Xavi Simons, who opened the scoring. First, assist for the former Lensois since his arrival in Germany. But that’s not all because four minutes later the roles were reversed and the young Dutchman found Openda on the edge of the area. After a delicious control and a small shot placed on the ground, the number doubled the bet to (already) plant its third rose of the season.
A goal and an assist in five minutes for Openda against Augsburg (VIDEO)
Jérémy Doku (Manchester City): 8.5/10
“I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect him to be at this level in his second game at Man City.” Pep Guardiola did not mince words after Jérémy Doku’s performance. Shy in his first game against Fulham, he did what he does best against West Ham: he broke his back. And Coufal will remember the Red Devil’s performance for a long time.
Unbearable, he was a little scared at first when he lost the ball due to a technical error to open the scoring for the Hammers. The winger then relaxed to score a goal that showed all the progress he has made in recent months. Starting from the left, he baffled the entire defense before finishing his action with great calm.
Beyond that, he once again defended well… while playing higher to provoke his opponent. Voted best player of the match, he was the catalyst for his team during an electric second half. “The coach said that in the first game, I was a little shy. Now I’m not,” he said. It is the English and European defenses that may be worried.
Dodi Lukebakio (Seville): 8/10
What a presentation by Lukebakio in Seville! During his first thirty minutes with the Andalusian club, the former Hertha player could not find a better idea than to score the winning goal. Well placed to recover a header rejected by the Las Palmas goalkeeper, the Devil did not hesitate to score the only goal of the game less than ten minutes after coming into play.
Apart from that, the former Anderlecht player showed some very good things, such as a magnificent direct pass for En-Nesyri. But his coach still criticized him for his lack of defensive participation. Proof that José Luis Mendilibar will not let him get away with it…
Timoteo Castaña (Fulham): 7.5/10
In his first start, the winger did not disappoint. Lined up on the left, he came and went. With his international experience, he will be an undeniable asset to his new club.
As impressive behind as he was in front, he was available to play many balls without getting carried away from behind. The proof? He did not suffer any dribbles in this match. His speed also made a difference on the counterattack. A really good performance.
Leandro Trossard (Arsenal): 7.5/10
Coming into the match after Martinelli’s injury, he finally showed his advantage. However, his first minutes were very hesitant. He then relaxed completely in the second half. With a superb goal he allowed his club to take the lead as the Gunners faced an Everton shrinking in on themselves.
In 66 minutes, he convinced Mikel Arteta that he could also start and perform. He might have had some help under his belt too. Like in this counter where he threw Odegaard perfectly.
Leandro Trossard sends a message to the coach after defeating the Indian cartel: ‘Incredible final’
Olivier Deman (Werder Bremen): 7/10
What a start for Deman! In his first match in his new colours, Werder’s number 2 came on at half-time… before providing his first assist less than twenty minutes later.
Found on the left, he sent a perfect cross to the head of Mitchell Weiser. Unfortunately, the start was not ideal, as Werder eventually lost four goals to two against Heidenheim.
Romelu Lukaku (AS Roma): 7/10
The Devils’ rating abroad: the attackers at the top, De Ketelaere falls into his mistakes again And one for Big Rom’! The striker scored his first goal for his new club in the match against Empoli. Well-launched in-depth, he adjusted perfectly to the goalkeeper during their face-off. Except for this goal that will open his season, we are still not sure about the great Lukaku. He still has to improve his condition and he will need a few matches to be at his best level.
But it’s still promising. With his back to the goal, he is a certainty and his buffalo physique allows him to make the difference. We can’t wait to see him in action when he has plenty of fuel in his legs to eat up those spots he loves so much. Another positive point: his agreement with Dybala can make fans salivate.
Launched in the 82nd minute, just after his goal, to cheers from the Stadio Olimpico.
Johan Bakayoko (PSV): 6.5/10
Turning on their right wing, the Devil was not decisive in their team’s great victory against Nec Nijmegen (4-0).
Although he does not intervene directly in the goals, the winger has tried his luck on several occasions and continues to gain confidence in the Eindhoven team. The proof? He has just played ninety minutes for the first time this season in the League.
Yannick Carrasco (Al Shabab): 6.5/10
It didn’t take long for the Devil to acclimatize to his new surroundings! New club, new championship, new continent? No worries for Carrasco, who assisted the only goal of the game at the beginning of the second half.
Al-Shabab thus achieves its first success of the season. For his part, the Belgian played the entire game.
Arthur Théate (Rennes) : 6/10
Strange meeting for the people of Liege. He is not directly to blame for the two goals conceded. Even if he is too expectant and static. Otherwise, he was pretty good. Especially in his broadcasts where he had no crashes or almost no restarts.
Although he signed a new contract this week, he was rarely absent from this meeting.
Matz Sels (Strasbourg): 5.5/10
The captain can do absolutely nothing about the goals conceded. Shot by Kahzri’s blow, he lost the duel against Nordin. The rest? Nothing or almost. He stopped a few balls but nothing too hot. The ultimate frustrating encounter.
Amadou Onana (Everton): 5/1
The starter, as always, fought hard in the heart of the game, but like his entire team, he spent much more time defending than attacking. Which it does quite well with a lot of combativeness. But he was never able to put his foot on the ball to offer a breath of fresh air to the Toffees, who needed it.
Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg): 5/10
Returning to Wolfsburg after his two starts for the Red Devils, Casteels didn’t have much work to do. However, he had to bow to a point-blank header from Robin Gosens. But the main thing is elsewhere, as the Wolves won 2-1 and achieved their third victory in four games.
Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta): 4.5/10
It was the Milan version of the CDK. However, he had entered their meeting more or less well. With Lookman, he attempted to set the fire. Which worked as the DEA opened the scoring in this match.
Then it went off. To the point of wondering if he was still on the field between the initial score and his replacement before the hour, that’s what he will have to improve: his consistency.
They didn’t play much
Less conspicuous for the Devils, Wout Faes (Leicester) remained on the bench throughout the game against Southampton. As has been customary since the start of the season, Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa) did not start. It is true that he played just over half an hour, but his situation is necessarily worrying. Even if his rise to the game was quite good at a time when his team needed to keep the ball. Which he managed to do brilliantly.
He did not play
For the third time in a row, Michy Batshuayi did not come off the bench for Fenerbahçe.
still have to play
Orel Mangala (Nottingham Forest) is still due to face Al-Dakhil (Burnley) this Monday night.
they’re hurt
Unavailable for several weeks, Thomas Meunier (Dortmund) has not yet played this season, while Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) and Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) will not play again in 2023.
