Former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou has said his three goals for Hertha Berlin against Borussia Monchengladbach were "something like therapy" after two family members died in August.
Kalou, making his third Bundesliga appearance of the season, scored all three goals in the 3-0 home win against Champions League participants Borussia Monchengladbach.
The 31-year-old had gone through a difficult phase when his father, Antoine, and his aunt, Fernande, passed away in quick succession in August but said his performance had been of some help to him.
"That was something like a therapy for me," Kalou told reporters. "The first goal was a relief, and that I managed to score three in the end was madness."
In late September, Kalou was allowed to travel to the Ivory Coast, where his father was buried, and upon his return in early October said he felt he was finally able to fully focus on his club again after a period of mourning.
"In spite of all that I want to score 15 goals this season, and at least finish sixth in the league," he said then.
A fortnight later, he was back in Hertha's starting XI in the 2-1 win against Cologne, and in his third match following his return finally opened his account when he needed only three chances to score three goals.
"He had a better body language the last 10 or 12 days," Hertha coach Pal Dardai said.
Meanwhile, Kalou's future beyond the end of the season is still unclear. He has entered the final year of his current contract and German football magazine kicker reports that negotiations over an extension have yet to begin.