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Congratulations to #SaintsFC’s @Prowsey16, @NathanRedmond22 and @jackstephens_18 on making the latest #YoungLions s… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/794177937926918144
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Get the thoughts from inside the @Inter camp ahead of tonight’s #UEL Group K clash at St Mary’s: https://cards.twitter.com/cards/rh0us/2i6l0
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COMMENT: Why Saints v Inter is far more than just another match
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Tonight’s Europa League game between Saints and Inter Milan is more than just a football match.
It is an occasion. One to be treasured.
It’s very rare that a major European name comes to Southampton.
And don’t be under any illusions. Don’t let Frank de Boer’s sacking cloud your judgement. Don’t let their current league position affect your thinking. Don’t be put off by the fact they no longer have Ronaldo, Bergkamp, Klinsmann or Matthaus in their line-up.
Inter Milan are a major European name. A very big name.
Only six clubs have won more European Cups/Champions League than their three.
They are as follows – Real Madrid (11), AC Milan (7), Bayern Munich (5), Liverpool (5), Barcelona (5) and Ajax (4).
Madrid, Barcelona and AC Milan have never played at The Dell or St Mary’s.
Liverpool obviously have, and how many of you Saints fans reading this can remember when Bayern Munich and Ajax visited St Mary’s?
Bayern provided the opposition for the inaugural Ted Bates Trophy game in January 2003.
Glamour A crowd of over 30,000 saw Brett Ormerod give Saints the lead with Michael Ballack levelling in the second half.
Luis Suarez was in the Ajax side that defeated Saints 4-1 in the Ted Bates Trophy in July 2009, just a day after Alan Pardew had been appointed manager.
But those two friendlies – albeit glamour ones for Saints – were just that … friendlies.
Tonight, against one of the giants of European football, it does.
That serves to only heighten the anticipation for a night that does not come around too often for Southampton FC.
Inter are by no means the only former European champion to have played a European tie in this city.
Hamburg played a UEFA Cup tie at The Dell in 1984, just over 12 months after they won the European Cup, and 1986 Euro kings Steaua Bucharest racked up at St Mary’s in the 2003/04 UEFA Cup.
But, with all due respect, the Germans and Romanians are not Inter Milan.
Saints have never beaten a non-English winner of the European Cup/Champions League in a competitive game.
Pedants might point out that Marseille – thrashed 4-0 at The Dell in a 1976/77 European Cup Winners Cup tie – won the European Cup. Yes they did, but in 1993. They were not a former European champion when they were routed by Lawrie McMenemy’s second division side.
Generations of Saints fans have seen their club beat Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa – European champions one and all – numerous times.
Great those wins are – certainly the ones against the first three of those clubs – they occur every now and again. They are not one-offs, nowhere near it.
Football fans remember the one-offs, the occasions, the nights which have the sort of special feel to them that an afternoon kick off can never possess.
Tonight could be one of those nights.
One of those ‘I was there’ nights, and they are the universal language of supporters the world over.
For what it’s worth, I disagreed with Claude Puel’s team selection in Milan.
I would have played my strongest side. Austin, Redmond, Davis, Fonte – I’d have started them all. First choice XI without a doubt.
Had Saints won at the San Siro, two things …
They would be in a great position to qualify for the knockout stages, which would give fans something to look forward to in the New Year.
It would have a great trip for thousands of Saints fans one of the most memorable away games of their lives, of anyone’s lives.
Tonight, again for what it’s worth, Puel should field his strongest XI. Saints cannot afford another group loss, not now, not at this stage.
Ok, there is another game on Sunday – Hull away in the Premier League. But Hull are not Manchester City, or Chelsea. If there is one ‘must win’ game in the next few days – for Puel, for Saints’ season and for the fans – it is not the one on Humberside against the top flight’s third worst team.
Famous win Not at all.
In years to come, Saints fans won’t remember a league game at Hull City that followed a famous win against a European giant.
A European giant who are a pale shadow of their former selves, possibly, but a European giant nonetheless.
No, they will remember the famous win against Inter Milan.
It is not often in a supporter’s life that they wake up knowing the next few hours could bring one of those ‘I was there’ nights.
Today provided one of those moments.
That is why tonight’s Europa League group game is more than just another football match.
Chelsea last weekend, Hull this weekend. They are ‘just another football match’.
Inter Milan at home is an occasion.
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Why it’s time for Puel to throw caution to the wind
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Claude Puel is no doubt a methodical man, but the time has come to throw caution to the wind a little.
That’s if Saints are to keep their progress in the Europa League very much in their own hands, writes ADAM LEITCH.
Thus far, you could probably deem Puel’s approach to Saints’ fixture demands as sensible.
It hasn’t always been popular, but he has approached the situation with logic.
Fearing the burnout of having the same team play every few days, he has chopped and changed - making an incredible 70-plus changes in the last 11 Premier League, League Cup and Europa League fixtures.
Whether he actually knows his best starting XI is a matter of debate, and he has indicated that he doesn’t.
But it is a little disingenuous to suggest he has fielded an equally strong team in both top flight domestic and Europa League games when Jose Fonte, the captain, has yet to start a game in the latter competition.
Also Charlie Austin, without doubt the goalscoring talisman of the side, has only started one of the three ties.
Even Dusan Tadic, who has been heavily used this season, didn’t feature from the start against Be’er Sheva.
It is fair, therefore, to make the assumption that Puel has leant towards prioritising Saints’ Premier League fixtures over the Europa League games.
However, going into this evening’s match against Inter at St Mary’s, that should change.
Group K is precariously balanced heading into the final three rounds of fixtures.
Sparta Prague, having been woeful in their opening day defeat at Saints, have changed manager and are now fired up for the competition.
If they were to beat Hapoel Be’er Sheva at home this evening, they would have nine points and be looking strong favourites to get through.
With Saints having to visit the notoriously hostile environs of the Generali Arena in Prague next, and the Czech side having a final day date at the San Siro, they would be doubly motivated for the visit of Puel’s side.
Inter would have been all but eliminated had Saints taken their chances and beaten them at the San Siro. That obviously didn’t happen but the situation remains similar for tonight.
To finish in the top two Saints will realistically need to expect to have to win both of their remaining home games.
Since the start of the Europa League, Puel has seen an upward turn in Premier League form, and Saints are now safely ensconced in mid-table.
Finishing as high they did last season looks an improbable feat, and so, therefore, the Europa League takes on added significance in terms of having a good campaign. It figures that getting through the group is important.
To beat Inter will see Saints with one foot in the knockout stages. Anything else and it could be a nervy last couple of games, and lots of other factors that they cannot control will come into play.
Saints have been unfortunate to have had away trips – and fairly long ones – immediately after three of these first four Europa League games. That is rank bad luck.
But even with a game at Hull to come on Sunday, Puel must put out whatever he thinks is his strongest side to face Inter.
He may not have been here long enough to understand how important this is, but somebody should be telling him.
He can then assess the state of his squad for Hull and, if it means having to leave a few players out for that game, then so be it.
It’s not a time to be foolish, but it is a time to be brave.
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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC
A flag for every #SaintsFC fan here tonight…
See you soon!
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 03/11/2016 16:47:41
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Fonte in latest Portugal squad
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Southampton captain José Fonte has been selected in Portugal’s squad for their latest World Cup qualifier.
The Euro 2016 champions continue their road towards the 2018 finals with a home game against Latvia, on Sunday 13th November.
After losing their opening qualifier 2-0 away to Switzerland, Portugal have rattled off back-to-back 6-0 wins, against Andorra and Faroe Islands.
Fonte’s Southampton teammate, Cédric, is not included in the latest squad, as he continues his recovery from injury.
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That feeling when you’ve finished work and know you’re heading to watch #SaintsFC play @Inter…
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Away from tonight’s game, tickets for #SaintsFC’s clash with #LFC later this month have now sold out!
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Inter have lost 68 per cent of games in England ahead of So’ton tie
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They may be one of the most famous football teams in the history of the game, but Inter Milan’s record against English sides in England is questionable at best.
Over the 16 games they have played against teams in England, they have only won four. The Italian giants have lost a staggering 11 of those matches, suggesting that trips to the United Kingdom are not among their favourites.
That will come as good news to Southampton, who take on Inter Milan in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
One of their most famous recent losses in Europe came against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in the 2010/11 season.
While the game at the San Siro - where Gareth Bale scored a hat-trick in a losing effort - is more regularly cited, the game in England saw Spurs show themselves to be a European force.
Bale was arguably even better than he had been Italy. Rafael Van der Vaart opened up the scoring in the first 20 minutes before Peter Crouch doubled Spurs’s lead on the hour after an assist from the Welsh wing wizard.
Bale then aided Roman Pavlyuchenko as he wrapped up the game for the home side in the 89th minute.
Inter’s biggest victory on these shores came against Newcastle in the Champions League in 2002. It was a blitz of a performance from the visitors, who went into the lead after just 65 seconds courtesy of a Domenico Morfeo strike.
Craig Bellamy was then sent off with just five minutes on the clock, wounding the hosts even further.
Matias Almeyda and Hernan Crespo scored a goal apiece before half-time before Alvaro Recoba added a fourth following Nolberto Solano’s consolation.
One of the more important wins in the context of Inter’s history was the 1-0 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 2010.
Heralded pre-match as the return of Jose Mourinho to Stamford Bridge, the game had an even greater significance after the conclusion of the campaign as Inter edged closer to victory in the Champions League.
The knockout round victory was secured courtesy of a scrappy goal from Samuel Eto’o, which prompted abuse from the home fans towards their once ‘Special One’.
By way of contrast, in 1999 they lost against an English team on their way to glory in the competition - Manchester United.
That victory, courtesy of goals from Dwight Yorke and David Beckham, was an important win as United went on to capture the Champions League.
Inter’s first ever game - and defeat - in England came against Birmingham City in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in May 1961.
The Blues managed to catch Inter at a low ebb; they had lost four consecutive games ahead of the first-leg at the San Siro and their form had barely improved prior to the return tie, which Birmingham won 2-1.
With a record that shows they have lost 68 per cent of their games in England, Inter Milan’s past can only bode well for Southampton on Thursday night.
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Southampton trio get Young Lions call
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The young Lions take on their Italy counterparts at St Mary’s on Thursday 10th November (7.45pm kick-off), before heading to face France in Paris four days later.
Aidy Boothroyd’s side are now unbeaten in 14 games after a comfortable victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina last time out as preparations gear up towards the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Poland next summer.
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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC
They’re here!
Watch as #SaintsFC’s players arrive ahead of a big night in the #UEL: https://grabyo.com/g/v/OqHl0fCr43P
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 03/11/2016 17:47:51
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| Opposition watch: Puel previews Southampton v InterINTERNAZIONALECALCIO || James Ward-Prowse says Southampton need to make home advantage count against InterHEREISTHECITY |
|| Southampton gearing up for historic Europa League clashFOOTBALLFANCAST |
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|| Southampton v Inter Milan Both Teams to Score (BTTS) Betting Tips 03-11-2016KICKOFFCOUK |
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Sourced from Daily Star article
Chelsea man gets international call after his red-hot form: Other Prem aces included too
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The Blues striker took his chance with two goals for Aidy Boothroyd’s side and he’s been given another chance to impress after being called into the squad again.
His lethal finishing has helped the Gas into the Championship play-off places and earned him an England Under-21 cap last month.
Chelsea 's Abraham has been on fire for Championship outfit Bristol City.
Boothroyd is taking charge of the Under-21s after Gareth Southgate accepted the England job on a caretaker basis.
“This is what we want, to test ourselves against these sort of nations” England Under-21 manager Aidy Boothroyd on his side’s games against Italy and France
His side take on Italy at St Mary’s a week today before travelling to Paris to face France on Monday November 14.
Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks and Swansea defender Alfie Mawson get their first call-ups to the squad for the double-header.
Boothroyd said: “This is what we want, to test ourselves against these sort of nations.
"As soon as the final whistle went against Bosnia in Walsall last month, we were already thinking about the preparations for next summer and trying to make sure we finish off the year with two more good performances.”
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Not at #SaintsFC’s clash with @Inter? Join us at http://southamptonfc.com for match updates and audio commentary: https://cards.twitter.com/cards/rh0us/2i7ij
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 03/11/2016 18:48:09
| | Southampton in no rush over potential Chinese takeoverNBCSPORTS |
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Man Utd to lose in Charlie Nicholas’ Europa League predictions
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Charlie Nicholas is back with his Europa League predictions, tipping up contrasting results for the two Premier League clubs.
Manchester United can all but book their place in the final 32 of the Europa League with another victory over third-placed Fenerbahce, who they thumped 4-1 at Old Trafford to move top of Group A.
Southampton are also sat second after three fixtures but will be looking to avenge their 1-0 defeat at the San Siro when Inter Milan visit St Mary’s.
Here’s what Charlie is predicting for the two fixtures in his Sky Bet tips…
Manchester United was my game at the weekend and they came up against a Burnley defence which had an unbelievable day.
I said the same about United before the weekend, they look like they’re on the edge of giving somebody a kicking. However, it could go the other way because the ‘Special One’ is now the miserable one.
This isn’t like Chelsea, where he can tell them nobody likes us and we’ll thrive on that, as Manchester United are a club which are supposed to portray humility and excellence and you wonder how they’re going to respond.
I think leaving Chris Smalling out at the weekend was a bad move because he could take it personally, especially when you look at the imbalance having three left-footed defenders causes.
He said he left Michael Carrick out to rest him but why not just focus on winning each game in front of you?
I can see them struggling again in Turkey and I fancy Jeremain Lens, who Sunderland could really do with back at the Stadium of Light, to continue to impress for Fenerbache.
Charlie predicts: 2-1 and Lens to score first (55/1 with Sky Bet)
Southampton should have won quite comfortably against Inter Milan in the San Siro and I thought they’d get a draw at the very least.
I was disappointed by the Saints against Chelsea, who just turned up and did a job against them. This is a results business and they’ve had an Italian job done on them again.
They’ve surely got to win this game because this Inter Milan side are bang average. This is a great opportunity to rebuild some momentum and claim a big-name scalp.
Virgil van Dijk is a great player but he makes rash decisions at times. I think he and Jose Fonte will be able to cause their own problems at the other end as I expect them to dominate and be dangerous from set-pieces.
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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC
The teams are in!
Here’s how #SaintsFC line up for tonight’s #UEL clash with @Inter at St Mary’s:
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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC
Anyone else as excited as this #SaintsFC fan?
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