Loïs Openda Reflects on His Italian Adventure

Loïs Openda has missed out on Belgium’s 2026 World Cup squad and endured a lean year in front of goal, but he refuses to file his Italian adventure under “failure”.

For him, that solitary season was an education.

Speaking to L’Equipe, the Belgian forward revisited the conversations that first drew him to Serie A and the tactical demands that followed.

"I spoke with Damien Comolli, who was then the club director, and he explained how he intended to use me in a difficult league. In Italy, the team that really exploits depth is Inter. Roma are only just starting to understand it."

That idea of “depth” – running beyond the last line, stretching defences – sits at the heart of Openda’s game. In Italy, he discovered how rare that profile can be in a league built on structure and control.

Competition for his spot quickly sharpened the picture.

"The coach wanted me, but Vlahovic and David were already playing in my position. I had good chemistry with David, but the team wasn't used to playing with a player who runs in behind, and Vlahovic tended to keep the ball to himself."

He chased opportunities, snatched a few, but never truly displaced the established names.

"I tried to get my chance, and sometimes I did, but towards the end of the season, I realised that to play, I had to leave. It wasn't a mistake, and it allowed me to work on aspects I hadn't considered. I knew exactly what I was getting into, and I'm sure that in other circumstances, it would have gone better."

No bitterness. No regrets. Just a forward convinced that a tough year in Italy has sharpened the edges of his game, even as he watches the World Cup from home.