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Saints boss Claude Puel insists his side will not be playing for a draw at Manchester City.
While that would be a point gained, Puel is wary of going to the home of the Premier League leaders with anything less than an attacking mindset.
He said: “I have a lot of respect for [Pep] Guardiola and his team but it’s important to play our game, with good possession and not to focus too much on the opponent.
“That’s not always possible, we will see on Sunday. But I want my players to take confidence from their play [against Inter Milan], to give pleasure with their qualities on the pitch.
“Manchester like to have possession and their quality makes it difficult to defend against them.
“The challenge for Sunday is to find a solution. Not just to defend because that is not for me a good option.
“We also want to give problems to this team. It’s a good challenge for us against, for me, the top team.
“I hope to see our progress in the Premier League.”
Puel is expected to make several changes from the team that lost in the San Siro on Thursday night.
“It’s important for us to prepare well and have a good recovery,” he said.
“With just two days between these games it is very difficult. Manchester have more time to recover [from their 4-0 defeat at Barcelona on Wednesday].
“The players understand the reasons for the turnover and that it’s important to keep them in good physical condition.
“It’s difficult because the internationals in the squad are playing five competitive games [in two weeks].
“So it’s important for them to have different teams while keeping the identity in the play."
Charlie Austin is one of those likely to return to the starting line up on Sunday.
“He’s an interesting player, a real striker,” said Puel. “When we have a striker like Charlie it’s important to be careful with him and keep him fresh.”
Puel will no doubt have learnt from Manchester City’s 4-0 Champions League defeat against Barcelona in the Nou Camp, where goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was sent off for handling the ball outside his area after gifting the ball to Luis Suarez.
“It’s difficult to do the same thing because I don’t have Messi but it was interesting to see this team," said Puel, whose side impressed against Milan 24 hours later.
“We didn’t deserve to lose [in Milan] but we dominated with our quality on the pitch, creating a number of chances.
After making his debut as a substitute in the San Siro, his first outing since his last outing for Lille in April, record signing Sofiane Boufal could make his Premier League bow at City.
But Puel cautioned: “We will be patient with him, after five months out it’s important for him to come back step by step.”
Saints were yesterday waiting to discover the severity of Shane Long’s hamstring injury, but the Irishman will not be available tomorrow He joins Matt Targett, Ryan Bertrand and Cedric Soares on the sidelines.
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