#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl reveals gameplan for Southampton against Leeds United in a fighting draw #LUFC #SAINTSFC
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Ralph Hasenhuttl
Ralph Hasenhuttl claims Southampton were left to rue their missed chances and had the “better” of them as the Saints shared the spoils at Elland Road. Leeds United took the lead just before the half hour mark through Jack Harrison but were pegged back by a stunning James Ward-Prowse free-kick after the restart.
Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “I think it was an expected game today. I spoke before the game about that it would be sometimes a bit ping-pong because of two teams who like to play quick forward. We tried to avoid playing in our own half today because we knew the pressing would be an intense one, we don’t have a lot of time. We tried to play stuff what hurts us normally because the behaviour from them is very similar to ours. I think it worked quite well as we had more chances today, the better ones and I think we have been closer to win this game but in the end we have to take the point. It’s a good step forward in such an intense atmosphere and intense game to go away with a point here is ok. I think it was a tough game to lead for the referee today because of a lot of fouls and a lot of intense duels. Broj is quick and when the ball is past the opponent and defender the only chance to stop him is with the body, and then it’s up to the referee to decide if it’s a foul or not. He said no and we cannot complain, we have to defend and this is what we didn’t do in this moment and then we concede a goal where we normally have a chance for us. It’s a little bit annoying and disappointing. The good thing is that at half-time we adapted a little bit our few issues we had, we didn’t have a lot, but a few issues we had, especially with our six a little too high that opened a few counter attacks for them. Second half was much, much better and in the end we had the bigger chances and we should win this game.”
Hasenhuttl paid tribute to the Whites first-half performance but claims his side missed golden opportunities to win the game.
Ralph Hasenhuttl added: “It’s normal in the beginning here when they are coming out with all their energy. It’s tough to control the game, tough for game to calm down and it’s never easy here. Second half the energy from the boys also not that high like the beginning and it’s easier to come out and then concentrate on your game. I think we played more and found our full-backs more often, we could switch the game and then attack on the other side. We had a few good chances, Tino had a big one on the second post where he must score. This is a position where he should take this opportunity to score there. In the end you need a sensational free-kick from Prowsey to score here, although we had other chances also.”
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