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Southampton: 2019/20 pre-season – SC Rheindorf Altach in profile

By Marc Walker

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 04: Ralph Hasenhuettl, Manager of Southampton looks on prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton FC at London Stadium on May 04, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 04: Ralph Hasenhuettl, Manager of Southampton looks on prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton FC at London Stadium on May 04, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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Southampton’s players and staff are currently on a pre-season tour of Austria as their preparations for the 2019/20 season get underway.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are also getting ready for their first friendly of a busy off-season schedule that will see them play five warm-up games.

They meet Austrian Bundesliga side SC Rheindorf Altach on Sunday afternoon, with kick-off at 2pm BST.

The match takes place at the CASHPOINT Arena, which has a capacity of 8,500 and gets its name from the sponsorship of Saints’ opponents by Austrian betting company Cashpoint.

After finishing 9th in the 12-team Austrian top-flight in their previous season, Altach will begin their new campaign just six days after meeting Saints this weekend.

The main link between Altach and Saints is perhaps Ralph Hasenhuttl, who will be well-know to all Austrians – he is said to be the third most famous person to come from his homeland after actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst!

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Saints aren’t the only Premier League side that Altach have faced this summer either.

They played West Ham on Thursday and fell to a narrow 3-2 loss. Strikes from Carlos Sanchez and Michail Antonio had seen a strong Hammers side race into a two-goal lead.

Altach fought back and drew level after goals of their own from Manfred Fischer and Christian Gebauer, but visiting defender Issa Diop netted the winner in the second-half.

The Austrians are managed by Dutchman Alex Pastoor, who only took the Altach back in March. The main thing to notice about their playing squad is the young average age.

Just three of the 27 players on their books are over the age of 30 and this perhaps hints at the youthful exuberance that could be on show against Saints on Sunday.

Whilst nothing but match fitness rides on this game for Saints and Hasenhuttl, they can be assured of a good workout from a very decent side.

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