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Southampton Set to Make History in First-Ever Europa Group Clash

By Aaron Preston

Spanish former football player Andres Palop shows a piece of paper bearing the name of Southampton FC, during the UEFA Europa League group stage draw ceremony, on August 26, 2016, in Monaco. / AFP / VALERY HACHE (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)
Spanish former football player Andres Palop shows a piece of paper bearing the name of Southampton FC, during the UEFA Europa League group stage draw ceremony, on August 26, 2016, in Monaco. / AFP / VALERY HACHE (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Southampton take on the Czech Republic’s Sparta Prague today in the club’s first-ever group-stage match in a European tournament.

Europa League group stage action kicks off this evening with Southampton hosting Sparta Prague before a capacity crowd at St. Mary’s.

It’s uncharted territory for the South Coast club, who have never played in a group-stage match in a European tournament before. They’ve also never played a match vs. Sparta Prague, nor any team from the Czech Republic.

With a clean slate ahead, the club will surely want to make their mark on the world stage in a big way. Coming off a disappointing League start, a win vs. a major European opponent could prove to be the confidence-booster Southampton need to jumpstart things on the home front.

In press conferences held yesterday, players and manager alike greeted the opportunity with enthusiasm and confidence. In his conference, manager Claude Puel spoke to his team’s excitement at the new challenge but also of the need to produce on the big day.

“It’s exciting and it’s important that we bring our level, because we have to show our quality in every game,” Puel told club media.

“It’s important not just to play a good game, but we have to take the points…we want to win this game.”

Those sentiments were echoed by defender Virgil van Dijk, who marveled over just how far the Saints have come in such a short time.

“As a club it’s amazing to be in this competition,” the Dutch centre-back told club media. “Southampton have come from far…but we still have a lot of opportunities coming as well to progress in this group.”

“We’ve trained well and we’ve analysed well, so I’m ready for it and I think the rest of the boys are as well.”

The opposition come to Southampton with mixed results in recent and distant history. Sparta’s last five matches have seen them record 3 wins and 2 draws, and they come into the competition having reached its quarterfinals last year. Sparta have also not lost a group-stage match in over two years, last falling to Swiss side BSC Young Boys 2-0 in 2014.

Next: Europa League Preview: Group K

By the opposite token, though, the Czech team has a downright dismal record against English clubs: zero wins, four draws and ten losses.

That’s a record the Saints will be angling to protect, along with their house: Southampton are undefeated in European competition at St. Mary’s.

However you slice it, it’s going to be a great game. For the Saints, it’s time to put the shadows of the Premier League behind them and march out onto one of Europe’s biggest stages.