Habib Diallo isn't one to hang around… Last weekend against Nice, the prolific Senegalese forward once again scored in the opening minute of a game. And in the process, he became the first man for 75 years to do so three times in the same season!

Though he had already reached double figures in two separate Ligue 1 Uber Eats campaigns, the 27-year-old has come into his own this term, hitting the 20-goal mark thanks to Sunday's match-winning double!

"What has changed? I've got more confidence; I'm working with a coach who knows me really well," Diallo told the Ligue 1 Show on beIN SPORTS. "I think that makes a difference."

Indeed, Diallo has now scored 24 goals in 31 games under new Strasbourg coach Frédéric Antonetti: first at Metz, and now with Le Racing at the Stade de la Meinau.

"He's having a great season, he's reliable. I know I can count on him," said Antonetti, who was brought in to replace Julien Stéphan and steer the club wide of relegation. "He's confirming all the positive things I think about him, that everyone thinks of him."

Confirmation

To get 20 goals in a season is impressive enough… but to do so in a side battling to avoid relegation is even more so. The last time a Strasbourg player netted as many in a top-flight season was in the late 70s, and back then the Alsace side were title challengers.

But Diallo is taking the whole thing in his stride…

"The aim is to ensure our survival," intoned eastern France's man of the hour. "I'm not really looking at any records, but if we guarantee our survival then I'll look more closely!"

Meanwhile his teammates are right behind him.

"I would rib him because he had set himself the target of scoring 20 goals, but I think he's reached it now!" Laughed Strasbourg defender Maxime Le Marchand. "I'd encourage him to keep going!"

Fan favourite

Five points above the drop zone ahead of their trip to Troyes, Strasbourg look well-placed to ensure their survival, and that is in no small part thanks to their top scorer!

"He manages to score nearly every weekend. Along with Openda, Mbappé and Lacazette, he's one of the top strikers in Ligue 1," said one Strasbourg fan, with another chiming in. "I think Antonetti has really given him confidence, gave him the freedom to become a leader in the side!"

Others among the Meinau faithful appreciate his strength of character and are looking for him to make the difference in their battle against relegation in this cut-throat season in which four teams will go down to Ligue 2 BKT.

"He gives absolutely everything for the team, he fights, he's a focal point up top and wins a lot of headers to feed his team-mates. His understanding with Habib Diarra is fantastic too so it's all good," observed one fan, with another fan counting Diallo's presence as a blessing. "For a team battling to avoid the drop, having a player like him is invaluable. If you look at our direct rivals Auxerre, Brest and Nantes, they don't have a player of his quality up front! It's really positive for us! If we stay up, we'll really owe him one!"

First things first: Diallo staying mum on future move

Obviously any player having such a season in the shop window of French football - let alone one who has scored 41 goals in his 100 Ligue 1 Uber Eats appearances for the club - will garner interest from other clubs, and there is no doubt that there will be plenty of suitors for his signature come the end of the season.

Can Strasbourg hold onto him?

"He feels good in Strasbourg, at the club, in the dressing room," explained Le Marchand. "We like him and we appreciate his professionalism and all his hard work, so we can only wish the best for him!"

Might he be the latest in a long line of Generation Foot academy graduates to swap eastern France for success overseas? Following in the footsteps of Sadio Mané and Papiss Cisse isn't his immediate priority…

"For now, I'm not thinking about leaving or anything," declared Diallo. "I just want to secure our safety! I don't want to say anything, then we'll see!"