Thijs Dallinga was not happy that he had to start on the bench in Toulouse's league match against FC Lorient (1-1) on Sunday. However, coach Carles Martínez had a logical explanation for it.
Embed from Getty Images
On Sunday afternoon, Dallinga was a decisive substitute, scoring with a header from a cross by Gabriel Suazo. For the 23-year-old striker, it was already his eighth goal of the season, but still, he didn't appear very happy in front of the camera after the game. This wasn't just due to Toulouse letting a victory slip away in extra time.
"Yes, I am very frustrated that I started on the bench, I wonder why that was..." Dallinga said to Prime Video after the game on Sunday. However, he put his frustration aside when he was called to enter the game after an hour. "Of course, I ask myself questions, but when I get in, I have to be professional and score. I did that, there's nothing more I can do."
The tension was palpable in the catacombs after the disappointing draw against Lorient. La Depeche observed that various players expressed their frustrations, and even chairman Damien Comolli was unhappy with the result. Dallinga also seemed tense. "It's very frustrating, but we will discuss it internally, not on TV."
Energy
The international player said he had not received an explanation from his coach, but Martínez was clear about it in the post-match press conference. "I have two very good strikers," the Spaniard referred to Dallinga and Frank Magri. "Thijs played on Thursday, so now we decided to choose Frank. Thijs could then bring more energy as a substitute."
It certainly had an effect, as Dallinga scored his fifth league goal of the season as a substitute. However, it did not result in the first league victory since October 1st, leaving Toulouse just above the Ligue 1 danger zone. On Sunday, they face a crucial match against bottom team Olympique Lyon.
Updated: 10:41, 4 Dec 2023
