Negative substitutions by under-fire Pellegrino
Having started in the normal 4-2-3-1 formation that Saints have generally lined up in this season, Shane Long was given the striker’s role from the start.
However, the Irishman is on a poor run of goalless games for club and country, and playing in a team that isn’t creating chances wasn’t going to be a recipe for success.
Mauricio Pellegrino waited until the 55th minute to make his first substitutions, but this was when Saints had been 2-0 down since before half-time. He would replace the ineffective Dusan Tadic with Charlie Austin, but instead of then playing him and Long up-front together, Long was shifted out to right-wing.
James Ward-Prowse would also come on for Sofiane Boufal; meaning possible extra threat from set-pieces, but significantly less direct running and trickery in attacking areas. This change was also made just one minute after Saints conceding a third goal, and almost hinted at damage limitation mindset.
Saints’ best performing striker, Manolo Gabbiadini, was left on the bench until the 79th minute. The Italian has only scored three goals this season and played 60 minutes for Italy in their draw with Sweden, but surely needed more than ten minutes to influence this match.