Ismaïl Diallo and Christ Tapé make early impact as Toulouse back youthful full-back duo | OneFootball

Ismaïl Diallo and Christ Tapé have quickly established themselves as Toulouse’s youthful full-backs despite limited top-flight experience. According to L'Équipe, both started the 0-2 loss to Lyon and settled swiftly into Jens Berthel Askou’s new set-up.

The Danish coach praised their potential after that defeat and said some arrivals will need time. He prefers a 4-2-3-1, unlike predecessor Carles Martinez Novell, who played with three centre-backs and wing-backs.

Toulouse used data to identify the pair. Diallo, 23, spent two years at Dijon, won the National title and was voted the division’s best right-back last season. Sporting director Viktor Bezhani describes him as versatile, two-footed and physically imposing, and he joined on a free despite interest from Schalke 04.

Tapé, 20, cost two point five million euros after two full seasons with AC Horsens, promoted to the Superliga during his time there. Askou coached Horsens from 2021 to 2023, before Tapé arrived in 2024, and the left-footer says he enjoys a system he used in Denmark.

Able to play centrally and comfortable in both phases, the one point eight eight metres defender has already shown his athleticism. After a glaring miss into an empty Lyon net, he posted on Instagram that supporters would not be disappointed and that they would surprise people.

Source: L'Équipe

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