Southampton 2-0 1. FC Koln: Saints head into Premier League campaign unbeaten

Southampton finished their 2019/20 pre-season unbeaten after a 2-0 home victory over German Bundesliga side 1. FC Koln on Saturday.

Goals from Danny Ings and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg proved the difference and they now head into their opening Premier League clash with Burnley next weekend with confidence high and hope of a more stable campaign this time around.

With Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl not present at St Mary’s after a minor leg operation, a strong side was named that perhaps gave Saints fans a hint to which players would be playing next Saturday.

A back five of Yan Valery, Jack Stephens, Jannik Vestergaard, Jan Bednarek and Ryan Bertrand started in front of Angus Gunn, whilst Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and James Ward-Prowse were positioned as the central-midfield duo.

A three-pronged attack of Nathan Redmond, Danny Ings and Che Adams was also utilised, and the latter would continue his record of providing quick contributions in pre-season games.

Two minutes in, he received the ball and burned past the challenge of an opponent, who then tugged him down as he reached the penalty area. Referee Jon Moss has no other option than to point to the spot.

Adams’ strike-partner Danny Ings was tasked with stepping up and calmly rolling in the spot-kick to give his side the early lead.

Cologne had dangerous attackers of their own though and Angus Gunn was soon called into action. First he pushed away an angled shot from striker John Cordoba but was also forced to rush out and smother a ball through the defence as the attack progressed.

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Up the other end though, Ryan Bertrand was denied by visiting keeper Timo Horn before Saints were awarded another penalty as Hojbjerg was adjudged to have been fouled.

However, the resulting spot-kick was dinked by Ings this time and Horn made him look a little foolish by staying down the middle to make an easy save.

Both Modeste and Schindler missed good chances for Cologne early in the second-half, and that eventually allowed Saints to double their lead through their captain.

A nicely worked move around the area saw Hojbjerg play a first time ball through to Adams, and the striker’s return pass made it as easy as possible for his teammate to finish into an empty net.

A Saints debut also came in the second period for summer signing Moussa Djenepo and he will be hoping to play a part when the Premier League gets back underway next weekend.

Saints team

Gunn, Valery, Stephens (Yoshida 63), Vestergaard (Armstrong 75), Bednarek, Bertrand (Cedric 63), Hojbjerg, Ward-Prowse (Romeu 63), Redmond (Boufal 63), Ings (Obafemi 46 (Djenepo 79)), Adams (Long 63)

Subs not used: Forster

1. FC Koln team

Horn, Czichos, Hoger (Schindler 46), Verstraete (Schmitz 72), Schaub (Koziello 72), Hector (Ozcan 72), Cordoba, Ehizibue (Bader 63), Mere (Sobiech 72), Drexler (Churlinov 72), Modeste (Terodde 63)

Subs not used: Kessler