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FC Midtjylland – Hedinsson
Southampton – Forster, Gardos, Bertrand,
Clasie, Wanyama
A year ago yesterday, Southampton
visited Millwall looking to kick start their season with a win in the League
Cup. Goals from Jack Cork and Graziano Pellè secured a victory and fast forward
twelve immensely successful months; it is the day of another significant cup
game, however the Jutland Peninsula provides somewhat of a different backdrop
to The Den. Clearly, there are other differences beyond the match venue – the
prize for finding a win in this game will be far greater than a third round tie
in England’s secondary cup competition.
Although occasionally the object of
derision and the supposed reason for clubs’ underperformance in domestic
leagues, the Europa League provides Saints with the chance to play in the group
stages of a European competition. The big boys may snort at the Champions
League’s younger brother yet Saints would relish the opportunity to pit their
wits against Europe’s best of the rest. To do this, they must first overcome
their Danish opponents – a tricky task after witnessing their display at St
Mary’s. What Midtjylland lacked in attractive play, they made up for in
regimented organisation. In setting up a back four protected by Saints academy graduate
Tim Sparv and using any dead ball opportunity they could to load the opposition’s
box with black shirts, the Wolves maintained an effective threat. The Herning
club are owned by Matthew Benham – an Englishman who swears by analytics in
football. Also the owner of Brentford, he believes that statistics should dictate
tactics and recruitment – the reason for the acrimonious departure of current
Rangers’ boss Mark Warburton from Griffin Park. Controversial as it may seem,
his philosophy and financial backing have yielded results on the pitch. Half of
Midtjylland’s goals came from set pieces as they won their first Superliga
title last season; therefore it will be necessary for Saints to remain wary of
the Danish club’s aerial menace in order to overcome the final hurdle in
qualification.
A
clash of tactics?
Obviously, in a two legged tie, it is
customary for the hosts of the second game to play slightly less conservatively,
however, it is clear that Midtjylland’s boss Jess Thorup will not adopt this
philosophy wholeheartedly. With the crucial away goal secured by Sparv’s sweet strike for his side, it is
Saints who will have to force the issue. While it is doubtful that the Wolves
will throw men forward to finish the tie, Thorup admitted that he would
instruct his side to press higher to cut off the direct link from Saints’
backline to Pellè. This may well be a necessary measure in an attempt to subdue
Southampton as Ronald Koeman admitted that he may compromise his side’s
habitual attacking flair for a direct display that will see Saints get over the
line.
Koeman will have to reshuffle his pack
for the trip to Denmark. With Victor Wanyama staying on the South Coast with a
stomach bug, Oriol Romeu will support the back four while Saints’ attacking
players hunt out a goal to prevent their European exit. Against Watford on
Sunday, Koeman chose a back five to combat their recent defensive worries while
in the first leg against their Danish opponents, Maya Yoshida played at right back in preparation for an
aerial bombardment from long throws. This time round, a more offensive approach
is required at right back and Cuco Martina provides a compromise between Yoshida
and the more attack-minded Cédric Soares. Moreover, the Japanese international may move to centre back as Steven Caulker looked nervous on occasions in the first
leg. From an attacking viewpoint, Sadio Mané is doubtful so Shane Long could
deputise, while an ever improving Jay Rodriguez should occupy Midtjylland
defender Kian Hansen who seemed vulnerable in the first leg as Saints tested
the Danish side’s resistance. Southampton will want to strike early but it is
key that they remain patient because while Midtjylland will be cautious in
their play, Thorup admits his side will most likely need to find the back of
the net at some point during the evening due to Saints’ attacking prowess. Therefore, if Midtjylland cannot find said goal from a dead ball situation, they could leave gaps for Saints' attacking line-up to exploit.
Possible Line-ups
FC Midtjylland: Dahlin – Romer,
Hansen, Swiatchenko (C), Lauridsen – Sparv – Sisto, Andersson, Poulsen, Royer –
Onuachu
Andersen,
Pusic, Urena, Olsson, Jensen, Rasmussen, Hassan
Southampton: Stekelenburg –
Martina, Fonte (C), Yoshida, Targett – S. Davis, Romeu – Long, Ward-Prowse,
Rodriguez – Pellè
K.
Davis, Soares, Mané, Tadić, Reed, Juanmi, Caulker
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