Town boss Mick McCarthy felt the Blues’ 4-3 defeat at Fortuna Düsseldorf was a very good work-out for his team and for once he wasn’t too bothered by a defeat.
"A very good work-out,” McCarthy said. "I always want to win but the scores in pre-season don’t really bother me, I can just about tolerate getting beat.
"But it was a good work-out, both halves. It was extremely difficult because it was so hot and they’re about three weeks in front of us preparation-wise, so I was delighted with the lads.”
The Blues have been in Düsseldorf since Thursday and McCarthy has enjoyed the visit and paid tribute to the hosts: "It’s been a great trip, they’ve looked after us.
"Ulli [Münsterberg, organiser of the Fortuna Blues], who has been looking after us has been great. We think he’s an Irish fella actually, the way he’s welcomed us and looked after us, that’s definitely an Irish welcome. He assures me he’s German with an Irish accent.
"The hotel’s been great, the training facility, just everything about it has been lovely and we’ve been welcomed with open arms.”
McCarthy wholeheartedly backs the link which has developed between the two clubs, even if he’s not quite sure how it came about.
"I’m trying to work out why both teams being beaten by Barcelona gives us some sort of linkage, but whatever it is, it’s a lovely bond between the two clubs and it’s great to see everybody. It’s been great turn-out today and our fans were amazing, 600 here watching.”
He says he and the squad will be attending tonight’s post-match party at a club in a former steelworks: "The players will be popping in for an hour and maybe having a beer.”
Would he like to see a return game? "I think it was Ulli who just said if we get promoted next year and they get promoted next year, we’ll have a replay as Premier League clubs at our place, wouldn’t that be nice? That would be utopia.”
One man missing from the Town squad was left-back Jonny Parr, who McCarthy says has a minor niggle: "He got a bit of a sore thigh from being in Ireland. It’s better to rest it, I want him fit for the season.”