Hasenhüttl: What I wanted to see was there
Ralph Hasenhüttl was pleased with what he saw from his Southampton side in the club’s first pre-season friendly of the year.
Saints were beaten by the manager’s former employers, the German Cup holders and Europa League semi-finalists who finished fourth in the Bundesliga last season.
Goalless at the break, Saints fell to a 3-1 defeat in Austria despite Adam Armstrong’s 65th-minute equaliser.
Hasenhüttl handed debuts to all five of his summer signings, using 24 players in total in a 105-minute contest played in sweltering temperatures.
“It was a very good test against a very good opponent,” the boss reflected. “It was our first game, so I was happy with the way the guys were working, and you could see some things were working quite well.
“The goals we conceded were nice shots – a little bit too easy, I think, but I must say that what I wanted to see today was definitely there. We were working on a few parts, and this is what we could see.
“We still don’t have everybody on the same level – you can see there are some differences in the physical part and also in the football. Some have to step up, some are still in good shape.
“The 15 minutes were important in trying to balance the game time for everybody that we need to have at this time.
“I saw a few interesting things for us, and the young lads and the new guys have found a good way in the team so far. They adapt very quick to the game and the way we want to play.”
