Five things learnt as Southampton beat Eintracht Braunschweig 1-0 in pre-season

Southampton beat Eintracht Braunschweig in their second game of pre-season, overcoming the second-tier German side in a game where Saints boss Tonda Eckert once again switched his whole team at half-time.

The Saints were the better side and could have had more goals in an eventual 1-0 win as they began their pre-season camp abroad on a positive note.

We’ve picked out five things in particular that can be taken away from the match, as more minutes were put into the Southampton players’ tanks. 

Damion Downs has something to offer

The star of the show and eventual match-winner was American striker Damion Downs, who scored a spectacular goal by rounding the Braunschweig goalkeeper and centre-back before slotting the ball into an empty net.

Downs hasn’t had an easy first year at Southampton - going goalless before being shown the exit door for a January loan to Hamburger SV, where he also failed to make an impact.

Southampton technical director Johannes Spors clearly saw something in Damion Downs, which is why he forked out £7 million for the youngster. The 22-year-old striker has something to offer to Southampton, even if it’s simply as a back-up - Downs deserves a chance to keep the momentum up.

Give youth a chance

Southampton are a club that prides its five-star academy. The Category One youth setup has produced gem after gem, and the production line is showing no signs of slowing down.

Last season Cam Bragg was the story, coming through and winning a spot amongst Shea Charles, Flynn Downes and Caspar Jander in head coach Tonda Eckert’s midfield rotation.

Young Irishman Romeo Akachukwu in particular looked exciting against German 2. Bundesliga side Eintracht Braunschweig, and is certainly one to watch next season.

Lewis Dobbin fills an Azaz-sized hole

Southampton star Finn Azaz remains at Staplewood, undergoing treatment for a shin injury, meaning another player in the hole behind the striker has had to be found.

The signing of versatile forward Lewis Dobbin came at a timely moment, and the 23-year-old showed excellent signs in the game against Eintracht Braunschweig with no real competition for the spot so often filled by Azaz.

Dobbin is showing early signs of being a great signing, with an assist against Braunschweig a week after netting on his debut versus Eastleigh.

These goalkeepers must find a move

One fun social media post from Southampton’s Twitter/X admin actually offered a sad undertone.

Goalkeepers Aaron Ramsdale and Gavin Bazunu have been told they will not be favoured over newly-signed Daniel Peretz and George Long this pre-season. The two shot-stoppers both spent respective periods as the club’s number one, but sit rooted to the sidelines.

For the good of their own careers and the Saints as a club, sales for both are needed soon.

Player rumoured away will work hard

Saints forward Cameron Archer is clearly putting the work in during pre-season.

A player who hasn’t enjoyed a great time of things at the club, the £15 million signing from 2024 is yet to truly impress on the south coast - but hard work will never go unnoticed.

Whether it will reward him with a move away or a starting spot in Tonda Eckert’s team, Archer is doing what is required to turn heads. That final bit of quality could be what is holding his career back.

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