Toulouse Football Club defeated Emirati side Al-Ain FC 1-0 in a pre-season friendly match in Murcia, Spain, on Wednesday evening.
Youth player Gaetan Bakhouche scored the winning goal in the 68th minute with a powerful header under the crossbar from a corner taken by Schmidt. The victory at the Pinatar Arena was Toulouse's second consecutive win in their pre-season campaign under manager Jens Berthel Askou.
Toulouse created few scoring chances during the match, but Bakhouche converted the decisive corner. The goal marked the team's second corner kick goal of the summer, following a short corner routine against Rodez AF.
Defensive Errors and Goalkeeping Saves
Al-Ain generated several scoring opportunities due to three major defensive mistakes by Toulouse. In the second minute, a risky pass from Diallo allowed Bello Ilou to strike a low shot that forced goalkeeper Niflore into a horizontal diving save.
Later in the first half, a combined loss of possession by Donnum, Koumbassa, and Nicolaisen gave Giakoumakis an open path to goal, but his chip shot missed the target. In the 90th minute, a miscommunicated back pass between Methalie and goalkeeper Restes resulted in an indirect free kick inside the penalty box that grazed the crossbar.
Restes, who replaced Niflore at half-time, made several crucial interventions. He punched away an indirect free kick in the 72nd minute and stopped a long-range shot from 25 meters in the 80th minute. Midfielder Vossah showed strong physical authority during the first half before the club's youth players helped preserve the lead in the second half.
Physical Contest and Player Injury
The match featured six yellow cards in a physical contest officiated by referee Fulgencio Madrid Martinez. Referee Martinez booked Garondo in the 60th minute for pulling Palacios by the shoulders and Schmidt in stoppage time for a foul on Rahimi. Three Al-Ain players also received yellow cards for dissent.
Toulouse forward Yann Gboho left the pitch in the 35th minute after being unable to accelerate. Team reports later confirmed Gboho suffered only a minor knock rather than a serious injury. Saka replaced Gboho for the remainder of the first half.
Manager Jens Berthel Askou rotated his squad heavily during the match. Toulouse started with Niflore in goal, Diallo, Koumbassa, Nicolaisen, and Tape in defense, Vossah and Casseres in midfield, and Vignolo, Donnum, Gboho, and Hidalgo in attack. Restes, Garondo, Bakhouche, Francis, Amaaouch, and Russell-Rowe entered at half-time, while Bique, Methalie, Schmidt, and Dardake featured after the hour mark, and Frechingues came on in the 82nd minute.
Al-Ain manager Vladimir Ivic named a starting lineup featuring Eisa in goal, Lazaro, Benkhaleq, Ratnik, and Jorgens in defense, Traore and Junior in midfield, and Bello Ilou, Palacios, Niang, and Giakoumakis in attack.
Pre-Season Schedule and Season Opener
Toulouse have recorded two wins and one draw in their three warm-up fixtures this summer. They opened pre-season with a 1-1 draw against Ligue 2 side Rodez AF on July 25, followed by a 2-1 win over Spanish side Real Sociedad with goals from Vignolo and Hidalgo.
The club will play Elche at the Pinatar Arena on Saturday at 10:00 AM before hosting Hamburg SV at the Stadium on Saturday, August 15 at 19:00. Toulouse will open their Ligue 1 season on Saturday, August 22 at 20:45 against Olympique Lyonnais.
In other club developments, defender Charlie Cresswell left Toulouse to join French side Rennes for a substantial transfer fee.
