Well done to anyone who reached the end of Hapoel vs Southampton. It wasn’t easy. But we did it. And, bizarrely, there’s still plenty to learn.
Despite its growing status and respectability, the Europa League is still not to everyone’s liking. And with games like the goalless scrap-fest between Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Southampton on show, you can hardly help but sympathise.
The Israeli side defeated Celtic on home soil and Inter at the San Siro already in Europe this season, but Thursday’s encounter was distinctly short on drama. But what did we learn about Southampton’s Europa League chances at the Turner Stadium?
A pressing concern
The relentless pressing popularised on the south coast by Mauricio Pochettino and perfected by Ronald Koeman was notable in its absence in the opening quarter of an hour in Israel. Southampton, despite possessing the energetic midfield trio of James Ward-Prowse (below), Jordy Clasie and Oriel Romeu, not to mention the hassling menace of Shane Long up top, seemed content to sit back and allow their under-rated opponents, particularly deep-lying pivote John Ogu, to dictate the play. By 20 minutes, the home side boasted 60 per cent possession.
Though the hosts failed to turn their dominance into anything more substantial, and Claude Puel’s side grew into the game after the half hour mark, their slow start and inability to impose themselves early on set the tone overall. By half time, for instance, they had failed to test the Hapoel ‘keeper on a single occasion.
A Tad better
On the few occasions Southampton did have possession in the first half, they lacked an outball and therefore resorted to plodding, purposeless passing from the defence to midfield and back again. Until, that is, the introduction of Dusan Tadic for young Jake Hesketh in the 35th minute, proving that Claude Puel is a man who acts upon his mistakes, ignoring the faux pas of the first half substitution for the good of his team.
Within moments, Tadic (below) wriggled ingeniously out of a challenge and whipped in a cross. Minutes after that, his perfectly weighted pass opened up the hosts for the first time only for an offside flag to wrongly stop Cuco Martina in his tracks. The Serbian’s arrival appeared to instil belief in his team-mates, who pressed and hassled with renewed vigour after his introduction.
Saints lacked service
After the buccaneering double act of Cedric Soares and Ryan Bertrand tore apart West Ham at the weekend with their well-timed overlaps and reliable delivery, it’s only natural that Southampton would struggle for attacking potency in their absence.
Full-backs are an essential part of Southampton’s attacking blueprint but replacements Martina and Matt Targett failed to get forward with the same effect in Israel. Squad rotation is an essential requirement when combining a 38 game Premier League season with the trials and travel of the Europa League, and Martina and Targett have much to do if they are to prove that they can step in when necessary.
To cut a Long story short
In the 65th minute, Martina whipped a dangerous delivery into the Hapoel box, directly into the so-called ‘corridor of uncertainty’ between defender and goalkeeper. Had Charlie Austin been on the pitch, Southampton may well have been one up. Of course, this is all hypothetical. Rested after scoring and assisting against West Ham at the weekend, Southampton lacked Austin’s physical presence and link play in attack.
Shane Long (above) is a willing runner and deceptively strong in the air, but he operates at his optimum while running off the shoulder of a targetman. Lacking support or service with Nathan Redmond deployed in a deeper role than usual, Long was left isolated alone up top, crowded out by Hapoel’s towering defensive partnership and lacking the space he needs to run opponents ragged.
Concentration almost costs Southampton
After a dominant start, Hapoel struggled to monopolise possession to the same effect once the Saints had belatedly settled into their rhythm, though the change in dynamic arguably suited the hosts more.
Forced into a more reactive, counter-attacking approach, Hapoel created the two clearest opportunities of an otherwise drab encounter, with Southampton’s defenders switching off on both occasions. Targett failed to spot the run of Maor Melikson as the Israeli international blasted just wide before Maya Yoshida’s casual clearance almost resulted in a goal for Anthony Nwakaeme. Luckily for Saints, Virgil Van Dijk was on top of his game once more to ensure a disappointing display didn’t become a disastrous one.
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