Joaquin Panichelli leads Strasbourg as tireless forward stars in 3-1 win over Lyon | OneFootball

Argentine international Joaquin Panichelli shone in Strasbourg's 3-1 win over Lyon, then clambered onto the fencing to salute the kop. The energetic forward again set the tone as a driving force for Strasbourg.

He had already threatened in the 24th minute with a header that Dominik Greif pushed away. He later converted a penalty to make it 3-1. According to L'Équipe, a Premier League club made an enquiry about him in January.

Signed for €13m excluding add-ons, Panichelli impressed with relentless running, pressing and link play, misplacing only two passes. He contested 13 duels, the most in the match, and drew multiple fouls. At times he drifts from the box, but not against Lyon.

Gary O'Neil said the striker works tirelessly, tracks back, covers space and defends, which he called rare for a centre-forward, adding they feel fortunate to have him. Panichelli said he clears his head and repeats his training routine from the spot, and was delighted with such an important home win. He described his style as giving everything for the team and fans, whether scoring, assisting or simply battling defenders.

A week earlier he had silenced the Vélodrome with a stoppage-time penalty to earn a 2-2 draw at Marseille. Sunday's spot-kick was his fifth this season, the best by a Strasbourg player since Frank Leboeuf in 1992-93. He says he is not focused on the Ligue 1 top-scorer race, despite being one behind Mason Greenwood's 14, and his aim is simply to help the team win.

Source: L'Équipe