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
4 of 9
Next

Right Back

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 16: Cuco Martina of Southampton holds off Michael Kightly of Burnley during the Premier League match between Southampton and Burnley at St Mary’s Stadium on October 16, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 16: Cuco Martina of Southampton holds off Michael Kightly of Burnley during the Premier League match between Southampton and Burnley at St Mary’s Stadium on October 16, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

Preston’s Pick: Cuco Martina

Bit of a shocker here not going with Cédric, but I honestly like Martina’s form a lot better this season. I have my doubts that Claude Puel will rest Cédric through two straight games, but it’s definitely a possibility if he wants to use the Portuguese at City and let the younger Martina get some big match experience at Inter.

Hickson’s Pick: Cuco Martina

With fellow right-back Cedric Soares injured, Cuco Martina seems the obvious choice to fill in the for the Portuguese. But don’t get me wrong, he isn’t just a ‘space filler’. Ever since he joined from FC Twente last July, Cuco has grown enormously as a right-back under Ronald Koeman and Claude Puel. His pace can be used to get down the wing, and then deliver, 90% of the time, a fantastic ball into the box. With the form Cuco is in, he seems the perfect match to stop Inter’s wingers attacking the Saints final 3rd!