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Sob on the South Coast: Southampton Fall 1-0 To Inter at San Siro

By Aaron Preston

MILAN, ITALY - OCTOBER 20: Charlie Austin of Southampton and Yuto Nagatomo of Inter compete for the ball during the UEFA Europa League match between FC Internazionale Milano and Southampton FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on October 20, 2016 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - OCTOBER 20: Charlie Austin of Southampton and Yuto Nagatomo of Inter compete for the ball during the UEFA Europa League match between FC Internazionale Milano and Southampton FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on October 20, 2016 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /
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Southampton’s undefeated streak was snapped at eight games yesterday as an Antonio Candreva strike propelled Inter Milan to a 1-0 victory at the San Siro.

Candreva’s goal came in the 67th minute of play, as the Italian found a bit of space and hit it just under the crossbar and past Southampton keeper Fraser Forster.

Though Inter would go down to ten men on a second yellow to Marcelo Brozovic in the 77th minute, the Saints were unable to capitalise on their man advantage and late testing shots on keeper Samir Handanovic failed to find the back of the net.

The match began promisingly for Saints as they repeated their usual script of pinning the opposition in its own half and dominating possession. But Claude Puel’s men never looked fully confident in the atmosphere of the San Siro and were unable to find their finishing touch.

An early second-half injury to Shane Long did little to help matters in that regard, forcing an already-depleted squad to play Charlie Austin on four days’ rest from his brace versus Burnley last Sunday. But even Austin couldn’t find his usual goal, and Southampton would go home empty-handed.

Jay Rodriguez featured in the match, going 78 minutes in his longest shift since his return from a major injury in 2014. The 27 year old Englishman gave the Saints their best chance at an early lead with a headed effort on goal that was nullified on an offside call. Record signing Sofiane Boufal also made his club debut, but was largely ineffective in relief of Dusan Tadic.

In postgame remarks, Claude Puel recognised the team’s disappointment but thanked the 7,000 Southampton fans who made the long journey to Milan to cheer on the club.

Next: ICYMI: Southampton 3-1 Burnley

“I want to give them thanks,” Puel told club media. “I think they can see we were unlucky tonight and it’s important to continue this work…so the results come.”

Southampton currently sit second in Group K after a Sparta Praha victory over Hapoel Be’er Sheva propelled the Czech side to first in group. The Saints next Europa outing is a rematch against Inter, this time in the friendly confines of St Mary’s Stadium. That match occurs in two weeks’ time, on 3 November. More immediately, the Saints next face Premier League leaders Manchester City tomorrow.