toulouse FC kicked off the second half of the Ligue 1 season in emphatic fashion Saturday, dismantling OGC Nice 5-1 at the Stadium Municipal. The dominant victory was highlighted by the immediate impact of Senegalese international Demba Diop, a recent loan signing from Strasbourg, who appears to be quickly establishing himself as a key player for Les Violets. Diop’s arrival comes at a crucial time for Toulouse,as they look to build on a solid first half of the season and potentially challenge for European qualification.
Toulouse delivered a dominant performance, defeating Nice 5-1 on Saturday, January 17, 2026, in the first match of the second half of the season. The victory was fueled by a strong showing from newcomer Demba Diop, a Senegalese international who quickly appears to be making an impact for his new club. Verbatim.
It’s only his second match with Toulouse, but Demba Diop is already proving to be a valuable addition. The 22-year-old, on loan from Strasbourg without an option to buy, earned his second consecutive start after making his debut alongside Sauer at Angers the previous weekend. He lined up alongside Vossah on Saturday, and the pair quickly established a strong presence in midfield.
Demba, with two matches resulting in qualification via penalty shootout last Saturday for your debut with SCO, and now tonight’s biggest win of the season, 5-1 against Nice, wouldn’t you say you’re a bit of a good luck charm…
(smiling) Yes, as the president said, there’s something to that. It could have been a much worse start, that’s for sure! I – and the team – will try to keep it going. And if we have to win every game, we won’t complain.
Before the Coupe de France, your coach Carles Martinez Novell said he felt like you’d been with the group since the start of the season. What’s the secret to such a quick adaptation?
It’s down to a lot of things. I got injured during my previous loan (to Nuremberg/2. Bundesliga, ankle sprain in late October), so I used the break to prepare well. I knew TFC wanted me – I think it was the right choice for me. The coach saw my good attitude in training and gave me his trust.
How did you feel in the midfield?
There was more experience facing us, but we didn’t think too much about it. We just repeated in the match what we practice in training, and what the staff asked of us. But it’s true that with Alexis (Vossah) we managed the first half well. It was different later on when Cassé (Casseres) came on, as he has more experience. But he helped me a lot too.
What’s your goal here in Toulouse?
To progress, simply. That’s why I came, and I think I can do it. I have the coach’s confidence; I’m here and I’m going to give my all.
By the way, are you a 6 or an 8?
I play everywhere! Before, I was even a No. 10; in Germany, I played as an 8. Now, it’s a defensive midfielder.
And how does it work in this double pivot?
It’s not complicated: when the other goes forward, I stay back. And vice versa.
Another string to your bow is set pieces. Especially corners…
The staff saw that I was good at it, and I was chosen to take them on the right side. I was in charge of them at my previous clubs.
Let’s go back to today’s score: we saw five goals tonight, it doesn’t happen every day at the Stadium!
The team works incredibly hard. It’s finally paying off. We need to repeat performances like this. “Killing” the opponent when we can so they can’t come back into the game is ideal.
