Pre-season analysis: Southampton 0-3 Borussia Monchengladbach

By Marc Walker | Aug 4, 2018

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Tobias Strobl of Borussia Monchengladbach passes the ball under pressure from Charlie Austin of Southampton during the pre-season friendly match between Southampton and Borussia Monchengladbach at St Mary's Stadium on August 4, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) /

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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 01: Oriol Romeu of Southampton in action during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Southampton and Celta Vigo at St Mary’s Stadium on August 1, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) /

Romeu must play versus Burnley

The midfield area in this game was a particular problem for Saints and Monchengladbach seemed to be able to find space of skip past challenges far too easily.

Mario Lemina, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Stuart Armstrong made up the central-midfield three on Saturday with the latter pushing forward to support attacks.

Without Oriol Romeu in the side though, the team lacks a strong presence who can break up the play. Both Lemina and Hojbjerg were guilty of conceding possession and were both found too far forward once the visitors broke on the counter.

A three of Romeu, Lemina and Armstrong against Burnley would give much more balance with defensive and attacking minded players.