Saints Marching
Fansided

Southampton: Predicted Starting XI versus Inter Milan

By Aaron Preston

Southampton's players take part in training session at the San Siro Stadium in Milan on October 19, 2016, on the eve of the UEFA Europa League football match against Inter Milan. / AFP / GIUSEPPE CACACE (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images)
Southampton's players take part in training session at the San Siro Stadium in Milan on October 19, 2016, on the eve of the UEFA Europa League football match against Inter Milan. / AFP / GIUSEPPE CACACE (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 9
Next

Centre Backs

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 16: Johann Guomundsson of Burnley is challenged in the penalty area by Sam McQueen (L), Virgil van Dijk (2L) and Jose Fonte of Southampton (R) during the Premier League match between Southampton and Burnley at St Mary’s Stadium on October 16, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 16: Johann Guomundsson of Burnley is challenged in the penalty area by Sam McQueen (L), Virgil van Dijk (2L) and Jose Fonte of Southampton (R) during the Premier League match between Southampton and Burnley at St Mary’s Stadium on October 16, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Preston’s Pick: Jose Fonte/Virgil van Dijk

Virgil has been probably the most solid player in defence we’ve had this season, besides Oriol Romeu, and his aerial threat on set pieces is always an asset. Fonte gets the nod over Maya Yoshida here because of Yoshida’s inconsistency and (in)famous short back-passes to Fraser Forster. So far they haven’t cost us a goal, against a team like Inter though you can’t risk it.

Hickson’s Pick: Jose Fonte/Virgil van Dijk

The Saints captain deserves nothing more than to play against Italian giants Inter Milan. José has been part of the continuous journey that Saints have been on, right from the start and will embrace the chance to lead his team out at the San Siro. He has also played a massive part in Southampton’s recent consecutive clean sheet run, playing in 6 of the 7 matches. A definite starter for everyone!

Virgil has been my favourite and most consistent player so far this season. He is a solid rock at the back and seems the perfect choice to halt any Inter Milan attack. Again, like Jose Fonte, he has been a key part of Saints’s clean sheet run. Virgil isn’t just a defender, he is a productive attacker as well. Even though he is yet to score this season, his surging runs and creative play have created many chances for the Saints forwards.