RB Leipzig striker Lois Openda
RB Leipzig striker Lois Openda
RB Leipzig striker Lois Openda says he has "nothing against" Diego Carlos heading into the Champions League clash with Aston Villa.
The pair came to blows in a pre-season friendly out in New Jersey in August, which saw Diego Carlos sent off after receiving two yellow cards. Nearly halfway through the first half, the Villa defender blocked Openda off the ball, to which the striker reacted furiously and picked up a booking as well as Carlos.
Later in the first half, with Leipzig one goal up, Openda doubled the lead. After forcing the ball past Oliwier Zych, Openda turned to Carlos and gave him some verbals before falling to the floor as the Villa man appeared to put his arm across the striker's chest.
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Openda spoke to the media ahead of Tuesday night's clash in Germany and was asked about his feelings towards Carlos and if the pre-season scuffle is playing on his mind heading into the match.
"No, what happened in pre-season is finished now and I am focusing on my season," he responded. "He is a good player, I have nothing against him. Tomorrow is just another game. It is the Champions League. It is nothing more than to fight for my teammates and win this game."
Openda has been in impressive form for Leipzig this season, recording 10 goal contributions in 13 Bundesliga games. He is yet to open his account in the Champions League this season, but Marco Rose's side have only scored four goals in their five straight defeats.
"Aston Villa have a very good defence – they have only conceded once in the Champions League this season – but we have the necessary quality up front to score the goals," he said. "We are playing at home, and the fans and the team are in good spirits."
Openda is a Belgium international and plays alongside Villa duo Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana. He has resisted contacting them ahead of the match to remain focused on the job in hand.
"No, not yet," the striker said when asked if he had spoken with either Villa player. "We have only spoken about the other games in the national team camp. I will let Youri and Onana focus on the game tomorrow and I also want to be focused."
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