Claude Puel insists it was “very hard to play a great team like Inter,” but Southampton reacted well to win 2-1.
The Saints had lost the reverse fixture 1-0 to an Antonio Candreva volley, but since then Coach Frank de Boer has been sacked and replaced by caretaker manager Stefano Vecchi.
Claude Puel insists it was “very hard to play a great team like Inter,” but Southampton reacted well to win 2-1.
The Saints had lost the reverse fixture 1-0 to an Antonio Candreva volley, but since then Coach Frank de Boer has been sacked and replaced by caretaker manager Stefano Vecchi.
"I think it was a fantastic game for my players, because all the scenarios were against us tonight,” said Southampton Coach Puel.
“We dominated the first half, but we went 1-0 down and just before half-time we missed a penalty. There were also many saves from the opponent's goalkeeper, but we persisted and all the players kept their calm and quality on the pitch, and we came back to score this first goal with Virgil (van Dijk) and then after with the second. All the team were rewarded tonight.
"We lost the first game against Inter, which was a shame, because we played a very good game, but it was important at home to make the difference.
“It was very interesting, because I think we played a very good team, with a good spirit. It was not the same team that we saw in the last game and it was very hard to play a great team like Inter Milan, but we saw a very good game from my team.
“I'm proud of my players. All the squad have kept the good spirit and the good attitude and now it's important to continue this work.
“The reaction and the strong character of my team was fantastic.”