Pre-season match recap: Southampton 2-0 Dijon FCO

Southampton won their second pre-season match of the summer this afternoon to conclude their camp in France with a 2-0 win over Dijon.

Goals from Shane Long and Manolo Gabbiadini either side of half-time were enough for the Saints to seal the win, as they also kept their first clean sheet of pre-season.

Setting up in a slightly less familiar 3-5-2 in the first half, with all natural wingers on the bench, Stuart Armstrong played in a #10 behind Long and Gabbi whilst Sam McQueen also got the nod out on the right.

Meanwhile at the back Jannik Vestergaard made his Saints start whilst Mark Hughes also handed a first pre-season appearance to Jan Bednarek, who returned from his World Cup commitments last week.

Ryan Bertrand pushed up from left-centre-back to left-wing-back too and was influential in the time he spent on the pitch, grabbing the assist for Long’s goal after his fizzed a low cross into the Irishman who prodded home from close range.

After making five changes at the half, Southampton started well when Charlie Austin sent a looping ball towards the centre of the box – the Dijon defender missed the chance to clear and Gabbiadini smartly chipped the goalkeeper for 2-0.

More from Saints Marching

• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
• It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
• Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

Fans were happy to see the Italian get on the score-sheet especially after the forward’s agent confirmed he would stay with the Saints this coming season. Scoring whilst working off of another striker proved that he thrives when playing with a two-man front-line.

The second half also saw Harrison Reed get more minutes in a wing-back role, whilst both Nathan Redmond and Mohamed Elyounoussi played off the forward for periods of the second 45.

Whilst all performances in pre-season have to be taken with a pinch of salt, supporters will be happy to see Southampton come away with a win after the drubbing at the hands of Derby last weekend.

Between now and the new season in two weeks, Mark Hughes’ side face two more European sides, but this time will play the duo of Celta Vigo and Borussia Monchengladbach at St. Mary’s. After that, the Saints have the small task of facing Burnley in their opening Premier League fixture.