An immensely frustrating Southampton had only themselves to blame for failing to put away a truly dreadful Inter side in the Europa League.
Inter Milan had been struggling, with three losses in a month, and Southampton were unbeaten in seven. It was one of the most high-profile games in the Europa League that the Saints could have hoped for.
ON THIS DAY: In 2010, Gareth Bale scored an incredible hat-trick against Inter Milan at the San Siro.
Maicon still has nightmares. pic.twitter.com/RxJzjoyfNj
A positive start from the visitors matched the crowd reaction in their favour, with Milan unhappy over Mauro Icardi. Cuco Martina did undercook a back pass and Fraser Forster had to react quickly to deny Icardi.
Jay Rodriguez almost found himself in a position to score by racing clear, but fluffed his lines by over-complicating matters and was dispossessed.
Milan had more of the ball, but were doing nothing with it. Southampton were more fluid and positive, Dusan Tadic enjoying success down the flank.
The Saints fans were taking over the San Siro with soulful chants of 'When The Saints Go Marching In'. Their side were showing intent, whereas Milan were dreadful.
2010:
Inter Milan - #UCL winner
Southampton- Johnstone's Paint Trophy winner
Tonight they play in the San Siro ?? https://t.co/zbkW08nlV1 pic.twitter.com/BiVG2gAEUj
A counter-attack from the visitors fell to Rodriguez, but Handanovic produced a stop, and James Ward-Prowse fired over from the resulting corner. The chances kept coming; it was all Southampton.
In yet another chance, Martina found Long with a cross, and the latter's header just escaped Rodriguez at the back stick. The hosts finally got themselves one a minute later from Eder's fierce shot wide.
The half-time whistle blew on an Inter side that looked unrecognisable from the glory days, but Southampton would be disappointed not to lead.
Shane Long went down clutching his hamstring moments into the second half, which follows Ryan Bertrand's England woes in concerning the South Coast faithful. Charlie Austin, former bricklayer, went on to face the mighty Inter Milan.
It really ought to be about 8-0 to Southampton by now, but somehow, it's still goalless. #INTSOU
Rodriguez nodded in from a corner, but he had fouled a defender in the process according to the referee. Whether it was a foul was debatable.
Chances fell to Icardi and Austin as the deadlock looked more likely to be broken, but both lashed awry. An element of extra quality was lacking in front of goal.
Out of nowhere, Candreva then slammed the ball into the top of the net from a low cross with Virgil van Dijk trailing in his wake. A lesson to be learned for Southampton, who had missed so many chances and found themselves punished.
The goal invigorated Milan, and Candreva's cross was nearly met by Eder. A smart piece of skill from Icardi led to a shot which almost brought a second.
GOAL! Inter 1-0 Southampton (Candreva 67) #UEL
Sofiane Boufal was subbed on, which will have drawn the eye of many a Saints fan. Their record signing had fifteen minutes to make something happen.
What did happen was a second yellow card to Inter's Brozovic. A stupid tackle on Hjbjerg gave him his marching orders.
Poor lack of discipline from Brozovic gives Southampton a way back into the game 12 minutes left against 10 man Inter #europaleague
Another sitter was missed by Southampton, Van Dijk tapping into Handovic's arms from a free kick into the box all alone. It was a criminal miss.
Van Dijk and Austin were denied from successive corners off the line, as stoppage time loomed. Time was called by the referee, and Southampton were left having to learn crucial lessons quickly.
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