Toulouse Football Club is betting on a new full-back pairing, Ismaïl Diallo and Christ Tapé, to turn around its season after a disappointing start. The club, currently 15th in Ligue 1 with 0 points after a 2-0 loss to Lyon, has unveiled this pair of signings who have already been starters throughout pre-season.
Who are Toulouse FC's new full-backs?
Ismaïl Diallo, 23, joined on a free transfer after two seasons with Dijon. This versatile and ambidextrous right-back, voted the best right-back in the National league last season, was developed in the Paris region, coming through Paris FC and Paris 13 Atletico. His physical profile and versatility also attracted interest from German club Schalke 04. On the other flank, Christ Tapé, 20, arrived for a fee of 2.5 million euros. This 1.88-meter tall left-back, an Ivorian youth international, played two full seasons in the Danish second division with AC Horsens, earning promotion to the Superliga with them. Their signings are the result of a recruitment process that included data analysis, as reported by L'Équipe this week.
Why did coach Jens Berthel Askou select them?
The new Danish head coach Jens Berthel Askou, who succeeded Carles Martinez Novell, has switched to a 4-2-3-1 system, moving away from his predecessor's three-centre-back formation. Diallo and Tapé fit this scheme perfectly. Askou is familiar with Tapé's background, having himself coached AC Horsens between 2021 and 2023, before the player arrived. Sporting director Viktor Bezhani backed these choices to add youth and impact. Frédéric Sammaritano, assistant coach at Dijon, described Diallo as "a real high-speed train! Naturally, it catches the eye, it was impossible to extend him."
How have they settled in so far?
Both players were starters throughout pre-season and kept their places for the Ligue 1 opener against Lyon. The match showed that adaptation still requires time, however, with Toulouse conceding two goals and Tapé missing an open goal chance. The young Ivorian responded directly to supporters on Instagram after the incident, showing his character. Diallo, for his part, demonstrated his defensive solidity. With 0 goals scored and 2 conceded, the team must quickly find its balance, sitting three points behind leaders Olympique de Marseille.
What's the immediate schedule to solidify this pairing?
The staff's trust in this duo is total, but results must follow. The next, decisive match is a trip to face Stade Brestois 29 on August 29th. Brest, currently 6th, represents a tough opponent to test this new defense's solidity. The upcoming fixture list can be checked on our fixtures page. To climb the standings, Toulouse will need to rely on the attacking contribution of its full-backs while being more disciplined at the back. The season is long, but the integration period is now short.
