Elyounoussi: A good test
Midfielder Mohamed Elyounoussi was encouraged by Southampton’s opening pre-season friendly, despite defeat at the hands of RB Leipzig.
After a tightly contested opening 45 minutes that drew a blank in front of goal, Angeliño broke the deadlock from a free-kick, before Adam Armstrong restored parity on 65 minutes.
However, a goal just three minutes later from Emil Forsberg and late strike from Ilaix Moriba saw the Bundesliga outfit edge the afternoon’s encounter at Lavanttal-Arena.
Banking 60 minutes before all 10 outfield players were replaced, Elyounoussi reflected on the first of two friendlies as part of the men’s first team’s training camp in Austria.
“It was good from the boys, for everyone to get some minutes,” he said. “We’ve been working on some patterns offensively, defensively as well and it was a good test against a good team who definitely tested some of the things we’re working on, so in the end, a good 60 minutes in the tank.
“I think we did a good game, against a good team, and for sure some tips we’re going to look at, things we can do better, things we can improve on and things we did well but can improve on as well. In the end, the boys liked it, a good challenge, and for the boys who came on it was a good 45-60 minutes.
“You can train as much as you want but you need to get it on the pitch against an opposition that can challenge you with the things you’ve been working on so that’s a good thing.
“We have a lot of good opponents we’re going to play against [in pre-season] that will challenge the things we’re working on. We’re looking forward to the next one, so so far, so good.”
