Abdallah Sima to spearhead Lens at Strasbourg after standout start | OneFootball

From impact sub to focal point, Abdallah Sima will again lead the Lens attack at Strasbourg on Saturday after impressing under Dino Toppmöller.

According to Le Progres, the Senegal international, 25, with eight caps, keeps his place in the XI in the absence of Odsonne Edouard for Ligue 1’s second round, as Lens look to build on a strong start.

He stood out against Paris in the Trophée des champions, 1-0, and worked tirelessly versus Auxerre in the 5-2 league opener. Toppmöller has lauded the hard-working forward, a robust pivot who attacks space and can be a nuisance for opponents. He also notes Sima could be used less when Lens face deeper, denser blocks.

Last season under Pierre Sage he started six Ligue 1 games, often shunted wide, and felt chances were scarce. He used the Coupe de France to stake a claim, scoring the goal that sealed the trophy against Nice in spring and finishing as Lens’s leading scorer in that run with five.

Despite competition from Franjo Ivanovic, Edouard and Rayan Fofana, Sima has claimed the central berth. He says his hold-up play has improved with confidence and his game is built on selfless running.

At Strasbourg he has the chance to cap his start by scoring for the first time this season against opponents exposed 4-0 at Marseille last week. Toppmöller pointed out Strasbourg have a new coach and many new players, so their approach is hard to read, much like Sima’s.

Source: Le Progres

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