Who are Southampton?

Club information

Nickname: The Saints.

Founded: November 21 1885.

Nationality: English.

Stadium: St Mary’s Stadium.

Coach: Claude Puel.

Qualification

Southampton gained automatic entry to the group stages of this season’s Europa League by finishing sixth in the Premier League last season. Ronald Koeman’s fine work over the past couple of years culminated in Southampton deservedly claiming their place in European competition. However, the Dutchman has since left to take charge of Everton and Claude Puel has been handed the reigns at St Mary’s after a successful spell with Ligue 1 side Nice.

Tactics

Having kept a clean sheet in six of their last seven competitive fixtures, Southampton will, in all probability, prove to be a difficult side to break down. They defend very much as a unit and Inter will have to work hard to create openings. Given the Nerazzurri’s glaringly obvious deficiencies in terms of attacking in a cohesive manner, this is once again likely to prove problematic. Frank De Boer has often spoken of the fact he is an attacking coach in principle, however we have yet to see this come to fruition on the pitch.

All too often, Inter find themselves unable to cope with sides who have pace in their ranks. Players such as Nathan Redmond and Sofiane Boufal, whilst far from being world-beaters, are archetypal of the players Inter have had trouble dealing with in the past few seasons. It is a recurring theme; pace frightens us. The full backs, in particular, seem to have little to no idea of what do do when faced with a fast, tricky winger. Do they press? Do they stand off? Do they force their rival on to his weaker foot? Frank De Boer has to find an answer to this if he is to stand a chance of reversing the negative spiral Inter find themselves on.

Key players

Club captain José Fonte has been an integral part of Southampton’s rise from the third tier of English football to playing an elite European club like Inter in such a grand venue as San Siro. Having played for the Saints all the way down in League 1, the Portuguese international has earned the respect of fans and teammates the hard way. His solid displays in the Premier League the past few seasons have culminated in him being linked with moves to the likes of Manchester United as well as Portuguese giants FC Porto and Sporting CP.

Virgil van Dijk is beginning to look the real deal, as a world class centre back who is destined to reach the top of world football. He combines physicality with technique and consistently performs to a high level. With an average WhoScored.com rating of 7.45, the Dutchman has gradually become one of his side’s most consistent performers. Having earned that all-important ‘Premier League standard’ tag after an impressive two-year spell with Scottish champions Celtic, van Dijk possesses all the hallmarks of a player who will soon be ready to take the next leap forward in his career.

Dušan Tadić is absolutely pivotal to Southampton’s chances of playing on the front foot and creating chances. The Serbian has in fact created more chances from open play (20) than any other Premier League player this season. Inter will have to pay close attention to Tadić or he will exploit the gaping holes which have become a common feature of the defence this season. If he is allowed to offer Charlie Austin the type of service upon which he so often thrives, it could be another long night for Interisti.

Interesting fact

What a difference six years make! The 2009/10 campaign marked one of the most successful seasons in Inter’s long and proud history, as victory in the Champions League final sealed a glorious treble under the leadership of José Mourinho. During that same season, Alan Pardew led Southampton to a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy triumph as well as a seventh-place finish in League 1, despite a ten-point deduction due to financial irregularities.

Verdict

Make no mistake, Southampton will present a very tough challenge for Inter this Thursday evening. They have players with both the requisite pace and presence of mind to offer a real attacking threat, especially in counter-attacking situations. The bottom line is; Inter need a win and must look to achieve it at all costs or else this season’s European campaign will be set to come to a sad, premature conclusion.