3 Things We Learned From Southampton’s Second Pre-Season Victory | OneFootball

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Southampton held out for their first clean sheet of pre-season, defeating Eintracht Braunschweig 1-0.

For their second pre-season outing, it posed a different challenge — one that required the Saints to both be comfortable in periods without the ball and exploit the opposition in behind. Here are the key things we learned from their latest test.

Fresh Legs in the Attack

Summer signing Lewis Dobbin has had an immediate impact. With Finn Azaz injured, Dobbin has been the main number 10 option for manager Tonda Eckert.

Against Eintracht Braunschweig, he was everywhere: from drifting out wide to lose his marker to picking up pockets of space between the lines — he posed a threat each time he was on the ball. For his assist, he occupied space in between the opposition’s defence and midfield to receive the ball, which provided him with time to pick the pass.

Lewis Dobbin has a goal contribution in each pre-season game for Southampton. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

A well-timed through ball found striker Damion Downs, who took it round the goalkeeper and a defender before calmly netting his first of pre-season.

The American international arguably had his best game in a Southampton shirt, offering the Saints a fresh profile. He dropped deeper to link up and consistently showed willingness in making forward runs. Downs was far more involved in possession — a stark contrast to how he found himself isolated in Will Still’s system last year.

Despite the encouraging display, it’s important not to overreact after one pre-season outing. But it was an encouraging glimpse of the qualities that persuaded Southampton – and Technical Director Johannes Spors – to sign him in the first place.

Defensive Organisation

Southampton employed a fluid 4-4-2 out-of-possession shape.

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It proved necessary by limiting chance creation, as Eintracht Braunschweig were comfortable on the ball, often counter-pressing when they lost it. This meant Southampton needed to be flexible without possession.

By utilising a front two, the Saints were able to keep both opposition centre-backs under pressure. This was typically seen in the first half as one would trigger a press on the right centre-back (Downs) and the other would trigger a press on the left centre-back (Dobbin).

Having both central midfielders operating behind the front two created a compact four-man square centrally, limiting the space Braunschweig had to play through and reducing their opportunities to create chances in central areas.

In this out-of-possession structure, Eckert tasked both wingers to track the opposition full-backs. This allowed Southampton to limit the effect Braunschweig had in wider areas, as they weren’t able to create overloads, forcing them to play into Southampton’s compact central block or recycle possession.

As a result, the Saints were able to remain organised defensively, limiting the quality of chances they conceded and ultimately securing their first clean sheet of pre-season.

With the Ball

In the first half, Cameron Bragg regularly acted as the passing outlet during the build-up, dropping into space to receive from the centre-backs and help Southampton break Eintracht Braunschweig’s press. After the interval, Shea Charles assumed a similar role, offering composure in possession.

Southampton consistently looked to break the opposition’s lines with forward passes. Taylor Harwood-Bellis, in particular, was proactive in possession, frequently attempting to find Damion Downs with direct balls in behind. While the execution wasn’t always there, the intent was clear.

Ryan Manning and Taylor Harwood-Bellis were both in the top 3 among Southampton defenders for accurate long balls last season per 90. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The introduction of Ryan Manning in the second half offered another glimpse into Southampton’s attacking ideas. Rather than forcing play through the middle, Manning repeatedly looked to exploit the space left behind Braunschweig’s full-backs as Southampton’s wingers dragged them out of position. This created opportunities for Nick Oyekunle and Cameron Archer to make runs into the channels, with the Saints finding greater success advancing through the wide areas.

While pre-season results should always be taken with a pinch of salt, Southampton’s victory over Eintracht Braunschweig provided many encouraging signs. Both Lewis Dobbin and Damion Downs looked promising in attack, while the Saints also showed they can be organised and disciplined without the ball when required.

It was a different type of test from their opening friendly against Eastleigh but a necessary one that has offered another positive step forward for Tonda Eckert’s side ahead of the upcoming Championship campaign.