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Europa League: Analysing Southampton’s Group K Gauntlet

By Aaron Preston

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: General View of St Mary's stadium prior to kick off during the Premier League match between Southampton and Watford at St Mary's Stadium on August 13, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: General View of St Mary's stadium prior to kick off during the Premier League match between Southampton and Watford at St Mary's Stadium on August 13, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images) /
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The field is set for the Europa League’s group stages. With Southampton set to go from St. Mary’s to the far reaches of Europe, we break down the campaign.

Southampton have been dealt a group draw that gives something of a cause for optimism. While challenging, Group K is hardly a “group of death” as groups A (Manchester United, Feyenoord, Fenerbache, Zorya Luhansk) and D (Zenit, AZ, Maccabi, Dundalk) are.

In the slides to follow, we’ll break down the Saints’ group stage opponents, and give our predictions for the long European campaign to come.

COMO, ITALY – AUGUST 25: Head coach Frank de Boer reacts during the FC Internazionale training session at the club’s training ground at Appiano Gentile on August 25, 2016 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa – Inter/Inter via Getty Images)
COMO, ITALY – AUGUST 25: Head coach Frank de Boer reacts during the FC Internazionale training session at the club’s training ground at Appiano Gentile on August 25, 2016 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa – Inter/Inter via Getty Images) /

Internazionale Milan

Founded: 1908

Ground: San Siro, Milan

Manager: Frank de Boer

League Position: 4th, Serie A

Inter Milan, commonly known as Inter, enter as the most well-heeled of Group K’s participants; their trophy-case boasts five Serie A championships in the past decade and a host of other silverware stretching back decades.

Though once dominant in the Italian top-flight, recent years have been trying for the club. The departure of Rafa Benitez in 2010 marked the beginning of a revolving-door period in club managerial history, culminating in an East Asian takeover and a Financial Fair Play violation that saw the club sanctioned by UEFA.

Current manager Frank de Boer joins from Eredivisie side Ajax, whom he managed to success from 2010-16 including a run of four straight Eredivisie titles. His Milan squad play a spread-out 3-5-2 anchored by Éder and Mauro Icardi up front with Antonio Candreva coming in on the wing.

Predictions: Inter Milan 2-1 Southampton; Southampton 1-0 Inter Milan

Next: This Is Sparta