Inter Milan 1, Southampton 0: Regrets for Claude Puel as Saints fail to capitalise on San Siro domination
Southampton boss Claude Puel insisted defeat was incredibly tough to take after his side were guilty of wasting a host of chances as Inter Milan snatched what at times appeared an unlikely Europa League victory.
The Saints dominated for large periods at the San Siro but fell behind to Antonio Candreva’s stunning second-half strike, while the visitors failed to capitalise on midfielder Marcelo Brozovic’s dismissal inside the final 15 minutes.
“It is very hard to lose this game because we have had control of it throughout,” said Puel. “We were unlucky because we played a very good game with quality and had many, many chances and it is a big disappointment.”
Skipper Virgil van Dijk echoed his manager’s sentiments. He said: “We were the team that deserved it the most. There was only one team who deserved to win but in the end that is football.”
Defeat left Southampton third in Group K, two points behind leaders Sparta Prague and level with Hapoel Be’er Sheva, who suffered a 1-0 home defeat to the Czech outfit.