Southampton slump to 1-0 loss at Sparta Prague

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Southampton suffered a 1-0 defeat to Sparta Prague away, a result which sees the Czech side qualify for the knockout stages. The Saints dominated possession in the first half but found themselves behind early on after switching off at the back.

Costa Nhamoinesu scored with a well executed volley from a free-kick from Bořek Dočkal.

Claude Puel threw on Charlie Austin, Oriol Romeu and Sofiane Boufal in the second half but were unable to create many chances.

And it leaves them needing a win or a 0-0 draw against Hapoel Be’er Sheva in their final group game to progress.

TALKING POINT

Why were the Saints so poor? They have only netted five times in their past seven games and looked toothless up front against the Czechs. Jay Rodriguez scuffed the half chances he had, while Shane Long worked his socks off but with little reward. Charlie Austin did not get enough time off the bench to make an impact. Claude Puel may need to bring in some firepower in the January window.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Borek Dockal (Sparta Prague): The midfielder used the ball intelligently and produced a brilliant ball from the free-kick to set up Costa, continuing his run of five assists in five games.

FULL COMMENTARY AND STATS

PLAYER RATINGS:

SPARTA PRAGUE: Koubek 5, Holzer 5, Dockal 6, Julis 6, Holek 5, Marecek 6, Costa 8, Kadlec 5, Mazuch 5, Karaev 6, Lafata 6. Subs: Havelka 5, Dudl 4, Kostl 4.

SOUTHAMPTON: Forster 6, Yoshida 5, Clasie 6, Long 5, Rodriguez 4, Martina 5, Ward-Prowse 6, Van Dijk 5, Redmond 6, Hojbjerg 5, McQueen 6 .Subs: Romeu 5, Austin 5. Boufal 5.

KEY MOMENTS:

11’ - GOAL! Sparta Prague 1-0 Southampton: Tremendous volley from Costa at the near post after a late run into the box. Van Dijk had conceded a free-kick midway in the Saints half and they were duly punished.

16’ - GOOD SAVE! Redmond with a good ball over the top for McQueen who unleashes a drive on the edge of the area which the keeper does well to keep out.

19’ - GOOD SAVE! Saints win a free-kick for a foul midway in the Sparta half. Ward-Prowse's free-kick is headed goalwards by Long but the keeper puts the ball behind.

56’ - CHANCE! Some poor Saints is nearly punished as Forster parries Karavaev's low shot.

57’ - SO CLOSE! Forster has to parry again this time from a curling free-kick which evaded Lafata but was heading into the bottom corner.

78’ – VAN DIJK MISS! Mazuch with a vital clearance six yards out from Long's low cross for a corner. The set piece is headed over by Van Dijk from close range, he should have scored!

KEY STATS

Southampton are the first English team to lose to Sparta Prague since Watford in the 1983/84 season.

Sparta have been beaten in just one of their last 14 competitive fixtures on home soil and in only two of their last 28 home ties in this competition.

Bořek Dočkal has created five goals in five group stage games.