Diop: It’s Always Better to Win But the Real Season Starts Next Week
Saturday, 15th Aug 2026 21:40 by Kallum Brisset

Town defender Issa Diop has reflected on a successful pre-season and says all attention has now turned to the Premier League opener against Sunderland next week.

Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Union Berlin rounded off the Blues’ friendly programme in what was the only public pre-season clash on foreign soil this summer.

New signing Emersonn was among the goalscorers, with Jack Clarke, Dara O’Shea and Kasey McAteer also on target on a scorcher of a day at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.

The Bundesliga side became the latest of Town’s top-flight pre-season scalps following earlier victories against Le Havre and Rayo Vallecano at Portman Road.

Diop, whose three friendly appearances for the club have all yielded wins, says there is plenty that can be taken from the Blues’ visit to the German capital.

“It was a good game,” he said. “We started a little bit slow because they were pressing high and strong.

“We then figured out how to get out of the pressure and we scored a couple of goals which is good. But we conceded two, so we’ll try to avoid that for next week.

“It’s always better to win, but it’s just pre-season so it means nothing. The real season starts next week, so we’re going to have to be ready to make sure we have the same result as today.

“Physically we’re better and better. We play more minutes together so we understand each other and what the gaffer wants a bit better. Hopefully it’s going to be good for next week.

“Pre-season is always hard. It’s not a bad thing, it’s a good thing because we’re working. There’s a lot of new players so we need to get what he wants and understand the players, how they play, what they like and what they prefer.

“It’s good because we spend time together, laugh and have a great time. It’s good to play in those conditions, because it might be like this for some of the games in the season.”

Diop is one of eight fresh faces to the playing squad so far this summer, while the off-season of change also saw new management in the form of former Strasbourg boss Gary O’Neil.

Town’s new man in the hotseat has previously taken charge of both Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League, which Diop believes is important.

The 29-year-old said: “A very good group, good lads, and a very good coach, so I’m enjoying it.

“The manager knows the Prem so he has a very good idea. We try to do what he wants on the pitch, it works well, and now we’re going to try and do it on Saturday in the Prem.

“It helps me because I’m new, but every club is the same when you’re new. You’re a little bit shy and the lads have welcomed me, so I’m happy.

“I only had two weeks off so I wasn’t too far from my peak. I had just enough time to get what the manager wants and to know the players.”

Diop made the switch to Portman Road last month from divisional rivals Fulham and boasts more Premier League experience than any other member of the Blues’ current squad.

Reflecting on his decision to swap London for Suffolk, the centre-back was confident that Town can follow the Cottagers’ example and maintain their seat at English football’s top table.

“Even when I came to Fulham, it was a little bit the same conditions,” he said. “I know and I’m sure we’re going to stay in the Prem and establish in the Prem.

“Motivation to play in the Prem and a new group, there’s many a motivation. When you play football and you play in the Prem, you don’t need any motivation to want to play.”

Not alone in leaving Craven Cottage, midfielder Saša Lukić became the Blues’ second summer signing from Fulham when he arrived last week.

“He texted me before he came,” Diop added. “He’s a very good player so he’s going to help us a lot, and I’m happy to have him with us.”

The Town defender is preparing to embark on another season of club football after a successful international summer, both playing and scoring at the FIFA World Cup for Morocco against the Netherlands.

Diop said: “It was a good one, but all the team was good. Bono [Yassine Bounou] saved us with the penalty, and all the players scored their pens, so it wasn’t all about me.

“Football is our work so we need to be ready for everything. The World Cup is behind us, now it’s the Prem and I’m fully focused on Ipswich.”

On Sunderland’s upcoming visit, he added: “It’s going to be a huge game and I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully we finish it with three points.”

Photo: TWTD

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