It was a difficult first home game in charge for Mauricio Pellegrino last night, as Southampton fell to a shock 4-0 defeat to FC Augsburg at St. Mary’s.
Many will feel the result is totally unacceptable – losing by four goals to an average Bundesliga sid e- and in many ways it is, but it’s far from doom and gloom for the Saints.
After making six changes to the side that thrashed Saint-Étienne 3-0 last saturday, there was naturally a lack of sharpness in Southampton’s starting XI, which included Nathan Redmond for the first time this pre-season.
New signing Jan Bednarek also featured, in what was an understandably experimental lineup from Pellegrino.
It’s expected the Argentinian will field his ‘strongest’ side on Saturday, as Southampton face Sevilla, once again at St. Mary’s.
The team that started last night was far from poor, but it was never going to start against Swansea in just over a week’s time.
What was worrying, however, for some Southampton fans, is the fact that this team should have comfortably seen off Augsburg – a side who just lost to relegated Middlesbrough.
The result will have shown Pellegrino that he desperately needs to bolster his defence in time for the Premier League kick off and with the Virgil van Dijk saga showing no signs of clearing itself up, a centre-back has to be a priority for Southampton now. Jan Bednarek firmly looks like a star for the future at this stage.
It is also paramount that Saints keep hold of Ryan Bertrand, who is still being linked with a move away from the south coast.
Going forward, Southampton looked at their devastating best on Saturday, with Manolo Gabbiadini leading the line. Last night it was a different story. Shane Long and Charlie Austin got the nod, and despite looking threatening in the opening five minutes, they couldn’t test Marwin Hitz in goal.
Next: Gazzaniga linked with Premier League side
Sofiane Boufal’s introduction with 20 minutes to go would have pleased his new manager, looking the brightest Southampton player on the pitch in his short cameo.
Gabbiadini’s introduction also sparked his side into life, and proved that he is Pellegrino’s main man up top. Saturday’s performance will give fans a better indication on how far Southampton have come this pre-season, and they simply have to perform better than this.
Sevilla will prove to be a much tougher test than Augsburg, and Saints will have to prove that lessons were learnt from last nights performance.
We are a week away from the new campaign, the players have to realise this.