Loïs Openda Targets Lyon Revival After Juventus Struggles
Loïs Openda has made an immediate impression at Lyon after a difficult 2025-26 season with Juventus, contributing two goals and one assist in his first eight appearances on loan. The Belgium forward is seeking to rebuild his momentum in Ligue 1 after limited opportunities in Turin also cost him a place in Belgium’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Openda’s season so far
| Item | Figure | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Juventus transfer fee | Reported €42.8m | Signed from RB Leipzig |
| 2025-26 Juventus record | 34 appearances, nine starts | Two goals in all competitions |
| Lyon loan start | Two goals, one assist | First eight matches |
| Next Lyon fixture | Saturday at Rennes | Lyon have eight points from four league games |
The 26-year-old arrived at Juventus with a sizeable reputation but was unable to establish himself under either Igor Tudor or Luciano Spalletti. Dusan Vlahovic and Jonathan David were ahead of him in the attacking order, leaving Openda with only nine starts among his 34 outings.
Openda said his talks with then-director Damien Comolli had made clear that adapting to Serie A would be demanding. He identified Inter as the Italian side most effective at using space behind a defence, while suggesting Roma were beginning to develop that approach.
Although he felt the coaching staff wanted him, Openda said Juventus already had Vlahovic and David operating in his preferred role. He described a positive understanding with David, but believed the side was not accustomed to an attacker whose game is based on running beyond opponents. He also said Vlahovic was inclined to retain possession rather than release passes into those areas.
By the closing stages of the campaign, Openda had concluded that a move was necessary to secure regular football. He does not regard his Juventus spell as a bad decision, however, saying it exposed parts of his game that required work and that different circumstances could have produced a better outcome.
His return of two goals across all competitions last season left him on the margins at Juventus and prompted the Lyon loan. His three direct goal contributions for Les Gones already exceed that total, though his longer-term registration remains with Juventus, where his contract runs to June 2030.
Lyon face a significant early Ligue 1 examination when they visit Rennes on Saturday. Rennes are one position above Lyon and hold a two-point advantage, while Lyon’s eight points from four matches have kept them in the leading group. Openda will aim to extend his strong start and help close that gap.
