Memphis Depay, here in the duel on Saturday with Strasbourg midfielder Adrien Thomasson.
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PHILIPPE DESMAZES / AFP
Memphis Depay was once again decisive in OL's controlled success (3-0) against Strasbourg on Saturday, with a brace.
At the same time, the Dutch international became the 16th top scorer in the club's history (with 67 goals), ahead of a certain Karim Benzema.
Still praised by Rudi Garcia, the Lyon captain intends to carry his club, provisional leader of Ligue 1, to his first trophy since his arrival in 2017.
At Parc OL,
“
No translation
?
Well done, well done… ”Failing to understand most of the questions asked in French, four years after his arrival in Lyon, Memphis Depay still knows how to show authenticity and mischief in his answers (in English therefore) in the face of hurry.
At the end of the clear success (3-0) against Strasbourg on Saturday, in which he again stood out with a double, the Lyon captain began by recalling the procedure to follow to dream of the title in Ligue 1 for the longest time: “We started off in the right way, aggressively and creating opportunities.
It became easier after the red card [from Adrien Thomasson in the 15th minute], with more space.
In the second period, we know we can do better.
"
A requirement that characterizes the Dutch international, including when he has to judge his new big season statistically, with 13 goals and 6 assists in the OL jersey.
This makes him the player involved in the most goals in L1 after Kylian Mbappé (19 against 21).
“I still believe that I can do better, like in the three previous games,” explains Memphis Depay.
For example in Dijon, I could have scored two or three goals.
I was frustrated after this meeting but I kept my confidence.
"This appeared brilliant when he initiated, after a counter-attack (1-0, 20th), the fourth consecutive victory for his team with" speed and skill "(dixit Rudi Garcia).
Memphis Depay was the great guy of the Lyon festival against Strasbourg with a double.
- Laurent Cipriani / AP / SIPA
“Juninho is the king of free kicks!
"
And what about the quality of his two direct free kicks attempted Saturday, which ended their race on the right post (26th) then in the top corner of Kawashima (3-0, 68th)?
"I trained a lot on free kicks the day before in training, and it was going very well," said the former Manchester United striker.
I'm happy to see that it worked so well in a match tonight, it's been a long time ... "
His last trace of a converted free kick with OL (six in total) dates back to a quarter-final of the Coupe de France against Caen (3-1) in February 2019. No doubt his sporting director with 44 goals marked in this exercise in Lyon (from 2001 to 2009) appreciated.
“I'm not in competition with Juninho on that, laughs OL's number 10.
He's the king of free kicks!
".
"Inspiration" Karim Benzema
The real stat of the evening concerns another Lyon icon: Memphis Depay has just, thanks to his double against Strasbourg, overtake Karim Benzema (67 goals scored against 66).
“It's an inspiration for me, a top striker.
He left very young [at 21] for Real Madrid, where he continued to score a lot, so it doesn't make sense to compare our stats.
But I can say that I am happy with my performances and my stats.
"Because if the 16th top scorer in the history of the club will obviously never catch up with Fleury Di Nallo (222 achievements), he knows that he is leaving a sacred mark on OL, where his contract will end in four months.
⚽️ Goals for OL ... @ Memphis: 6⃣7⃣ @ Benzema: 6⃣6⃣
Two legends 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/uBpnVFPUaS
- Olympique Lyonnais 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@OL_English) February 6, 2021
“Memphis is obviously a scorer but I still have a particular weakness for the last passers, says Rudi Garcia.
He is able to mark others.
He's a great player, and when you lead 3-0 like against Strasbourg, you take him out because you don't need him anymore.
There will be other battles.
There is no doubt that the main battle of the warrior Memphis Depay will be to seek a coronation before leaving Lyon.
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