The Saints face the Italians at St. Mary’s in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night.
Sunderland’s Lynden Gooch in action with Southampton’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg claims his side have nothing to fear ahead of Thursday’s nights return fixture versus Inter Milan in the UEFA Europa League.
The 21 year-old told The Mirror the Saints should not be daunted in facing the former Italian giants, since their fall from grace in recent years.
The Dane encouraged both the fans and his side to enjoy what will be a huge clash in Southampton’s footballing history.
Højbjerg said: “If you get a game against Inter Milan, you have to enjoy it. It is a huge club and only six years ago they won the Treble and were the kings of Europe.”
“To get an opportunity to play a club like this, not only for me, but for the team and the club is a rare moment.”
Inter Milan’s Gary Medel in action with Southampton’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
Since his arrival from Bayern Munich in the summer, the Danish international has quietly been an effective ingredient for Claude Puel’s men on the south coast.
Performing a tag-team role with Oriol Romeu in defensive midfield, Højbjerg has primarily been utilized in Europe. He has however, become a shield ahead of a Saints defence that have conceded just once over three games in Group K.
A tough-tackling individual, the Dane also links the defence to attack centrally.
Having made just 17 appearances for Die Roten, the midfielder spent loan spells with Augsburg and Schalke 04, before finally departing Germany for the Premier League.
Inter Milan make the trip to St. Mary’s bottom of the group with just three points, as Sparta Prague sit top of the standings.
Inter Milan coach Frank de Boer
Having snatched a win at the San Siro a fortnight ago, the Nerazzurri travel to England manager-less following the dismissal of Frank de Boer on Tuesday, after just four months in the job.
Despite Inter’s former illustrious history – as three-time European Cup winners – Hojbjerg firmly believes believes Southampton are on an even keel ahead of Thursday’s game.
The Dane added, “We should not feel afraid. We should not feel under pressure, we should not feel dragged down by playing such a big club. We have shown what we are capable of and we can beat a club that big because Southampton is also a big club.”
““The best team will win — and I know we are the best team.”
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