Kim Hellberg reveals what Middlesbrough will do to try and beat Southampton | OneFootball

Middlesbrough won't be changing much in terms of their approach ahead of tonight's play-off semi-final second leg

After Hull City prevailed away from home against Millwall to reach the play-off final on Monday night, Middlesbrough will be hoping for a similar result on the road to progress to Wembley at Southampton's expense.

Both Boro and the Saints go into Tuesday night's second leg of their semi-finals gridlocked after a goalless first leg, with the off-field drama taking more of a starring role after Southampton were allegedly caught spying on Kim Hellberg's training session last Thursday.

Nevertheless, despite no goals being scored on Saturday at the Riverside, it wasn't a game devoid of chances, and Middlesbrough will feel frustrated that they weren't able to get their noses in front, especially after a truly dominant first half display.

Tuesday's second leg will be a completely different prospect, one which may force both managers to take a slightly different approach, with Southampton almost expected to be on the front foot, given their home advantage.

Kim Hellberg rebukes questions surrounding a switch away from Middlesbrough's attacking identity for Southampton second leg

Boro boss Kim Hellberg isn't going to allow his side to let their foot off the gas, though, and even if they are, on paper, the underdogs down on the south coast, they're preparing as they would any other game.

Speaking in his pre-game press conference on Monday afternoon, per Teeside Live, Hellberg said: "That is what we will do [play their own game], that is what we have done all season.

"To be fair, a lot of people told me about the play-off games, how close the first leg always is, how difficult it is to attack. But then my players go out and do what they did in that first half at the weekend.

"I think it's one of the best halves I have ever seen with my own eyes, in that type of game. It is a team that finished fifth against a team that finished fourth, with parachute payments and a massive squad, but we made it look so one-sided in that first half."

And those who watched the first half on Saturday unfold know that Hellberg isn't being hyperbolic. Middlesbrough had 76% possession and didn't allow Southampton to have a shot in the opening 45 minutes.

The only real gripes with the performance were that they didn't find the breakthrough. Boro spurned five big chances, and on another day, Tommy Conway could have had a hat trick before the break.

So, while it would be naive to think that a similar level of dominance could be displayed, Kim Hellberg will be looking to remain on the front foot, with the hope that they can get themselves on the scoresheet this time.

"There is a difference between the clubs, but we played as we did, and we try to do the same in the second leg," he continued.

"They are a very good team we play against, and some of the players in their team are unbelievable, to be fair. But we will do what we do, and we will go there to try and win the game."

A grandstand play-off semi-final second leg is to be expected at St Mary's on Tuesday night

Ever since the final whistle blew at the Riverside on Saturday afternoon, tension has been building for what could be one of the most highly anticipated play-off semi-final second legs the second tier has seen.

On the field, that's due to the tactical brilliance that both sides have shown throughout the campaign and the fact that both sides perform brilliantly at home and on the road, respectively.

Southampton have lost just once at St Mary's since Tonda Eckert was first announced as interim boss in the wake of Will Still's sacking back in November, and that included a win over Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Whereas Middlesbrough have lost just one of their last 10 away games, at Coventry City back in February, and have drawn 2-2 in each of their last three games, so people are expecting goals.

But off the field, the discourse surrounding 'Spygate 2.0' is still rife, and those who remember back at Elland Road in 2019 when Derby County beat Leeds United, that drama can spill onto the field and give an added edge to the game — not that this one even needed it.

So, it's all set up to be an entertaining evening at St Mary's, with a date with Hull at Wembley the reward for the winner.