Burnley 0-1 Southampton: A tactical and statistical review

By Marc Walker | Sep 26, 2020

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Jannik Vestergaard of Southampton looks on during the Premier League match between Burnley and Southampton at Turf Moor on September 26, 2020 in Burnley, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Jon Super - Pool/Getty Images) /

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Phil Bardsley of Burnley battles for possession with Moussa Djenepo of Southampton (Photo by Jon Super – Pool/Getty Images) /

Pressing returns and stops Burnley playing

The lack of pressing was blamed by Ralph Hasenhuttl after Saints’ loss to Spurs last weekend and it was easy to see why.

Spurs were free to pick their passes into their attackers and then found Son Hueng-Min in on goal far too easily. At Burnley, that changed to cut off the hosts’ main threat at source.

Sean Dyche’s side feed off direct passes to the likes of Chris Wood and then the second balls that come from the knockdowns. The Saints front four of Ings, Adams, Djenepo and Armstrong allowed no time for these passes to be made due to their tireless pressure on the man in possession.

Not all teams play in the way that Burnley do and Saints will have to adapt their game plan for each game, but this was certainly progress.