Premier League side AFC Bournemouth eased past their championship neighbours Southampton on Tuesday night with a 3-2 victory at St Mary’s.
It was Cherries head coach Andoni Iraola’s first game in charge of the club on British soil and over 3,000 supporters traveled the short distance across the New Forest to have an intriguing first glimpse of what potentially is to come.
Neto captained the side in goal, with Adam Smith, Marcos Senesi, Chris Mepham and Milos Kerkez making his debut for the club following his £14 million move from AZ Alkmaar.
https://twitter.com/MilosKerkez5/status/1683964627263057927?s=20
In midfield, Lewis Cook and Philip Billing played centrally, with Dango Ouattara, Ryan Christie and Jaidon Anthony in the more advanced positions behind Dominic Solanke.
The Cherries raced into a two-nil lead inside 20 minutes thanks to goals from O. Dango and Ryan Christie, the Football League outfit got one back just before half time.
Pinpoint accuracy from @DangoOuattara 🎯 pic.twitter.com/YbAdUhpdEx
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) July 26, 2023
That high press ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/00izZByaUr
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) July 26, 2023
Southampton’s hopes of a pre-season upset were raised when they found an equaliser on 64 minutes.
Over the next 15 minutes, the Cherries made nine outfield changes with Kieffer Moore, David Brooks, Justin Kluivert, Hamed Traore, Illia Zabarnyi, James Hill, Gavin Kilkenny, Ben Greenwood and Joe Rothwell all introduced. The only outfield player to complete 90 minutes was Marcos Senesi.
With 4 minutes remaining the home sides hopes were dashed as David Brooks secured the victory, completing the Cherries third victory in successive games in visits to Southampton.
Cool, calm and collected 😮💨 @DRBrooks15 🙌 pic.twitter.com/BCSAk7Pi5T
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) July 26, 2023
A message from the match winner 👏 pic.twitter.com/8doe4IxOMQ
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) July 25, 2023
After the game, Iraola spoke to the Daily Echo and overall he was generally happy with the performance, albeit against lower league opposition and thought it was a step forward from the games that were played during the summer training camp in Spain against Hibernian and Maccabi Tel Aviv…
“I think it was a good game, even with the mistakes we had.
“Because we had also some mistakes, especially the two goals we conceded coming from set pieces.
“But overall I’m really happy because the players worked really hard…”
He added…
“I think today was a step forward, because I felt during some long periods of time that we were where we wanted.
“But also we have to realise that we have these mistakes that take you a lot of points, set pieces, the finishing, where we can make the fouls, where we cannot.
“Things that are not only a matter of tactics, of football, but we have to improve.
“Because at the end they cost you goals.”
"Overall, I'm really happy."
Andoni Iraola on yesterday's friendly 🗣
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) July 26, 2023
Your say…
darwinsdummy said…
Somewhat against the flow, none of the preseason games feel like we’ve been screaming for a Defensive Midfielder (none of the goals between today and against Maccabi felt like ones to be clearly blamed on a lack of DM). Still a bit light in the Central Midfield department and would like to see us bring another one in after both Jefferson Lerma and Ben Pearson left, but I’m not sure it has to be a DM. The caveat to this though is that all the preseason games so far have been against opposition that is either below our level or, at best, equaling us. How we perform against teams stuffed with talent and whether a DM is more required for those games is an open question though.
AFCBade added…
Two things struck me from Iraola’s aim to improve the team – not concede set-piece goals and be more clinical. Still, work to do on both accounts on tonight’s showing.
Thought we should have scored 5 at least given the quality of opportunity while that set-piece goal conceded let them back into a game that we had won.
But plenty of positives too. I think we are going to be a very dangerous counter-attacking team and at times the turnovers showed good pressing and positive attitudes. So, definitely signs of Iraola’s influence.
I think Anthony and Christie will enjoy playing for AI.
3 successive wins at St Mary’s now is worth savouring. – To join the conversation, click here.
