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| Southampton manager Ronald Koeman's poor start to the season continues after 2-1 aggregate defeat |
SOUTHAMPTON'S poor start to the season continued as Ronald Koeman’s men were sent crashing out of Europe in Denmark last night.
Former Celtic man Morten Rasmussen scored the only goal as Danish minnows Midtjylland ended the Saints’ hopes of qualifying for the group stage.
Southampton needed an early goal to settle the nerves and cancel out Tim Sparv’s away goal at St Mary’s, and Jose Fonte nearly obliged in the fourth minute but his header was nodded off the line.
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| FC Midtjylland celebrating their goal which knocked Saints out of the Europa League |
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| Former Celtic man Morten Rasmussen celebrating his tie-clinching goal |
Jay Rodriguez, the goalscorer from the first leg, had two chances to grab the lead – but opted to square to James Ward-Prowse instead of shooting before smashing a half volley over.
Heavy rain throughout the first half made it difficult for Koeman’s men , although Ward-Prowse tested the keeper with a long-range effort.
Saints looked lost in midfield without midfield powerhouse Victor Wanyama, who stayed at home with a stomach problem.
And their European dream suffered a huge setback in the 28th minute as Rasmussen fired into the bottom corner after Rodriguez had lost possession.
After their bright start, Koeman’s side looked shell-shocked after conceding and Pione Sisto nearly doubled the lead .
The Saints found some rhythm as Cuco Martina whipped a dangerous cross from the right but Rodriguez’s header was well saved by keeper Johan Dahlin.
Koeman brought on Serbian midfielder Dusan Tadic in place of centre-back Steven Caulker 13 minutes into the second half in a desperate bid to turn the tie in his side’s favour.
But their hosts continued to pose a threat and it needed a heroic block from Martina to deny Petter Anderssen six minutes later.
England Under-21 captain Ward-Prowse saw his 69th-minute free-kick deflected behind for a corner as their frustration grew.
Rodriguez was replaced by Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long and Koeman also threw on substitute Juanmi for the final eight minutes to try to salvage something.
However, Midtjylland, who dumped Manchester City out of the UEFA Cup six years ago, continued to hold firm.
MIDTJYLLAND (4-1-4-1): Dahlin; Bak Nielsen (Romer 83), Hansen, Sviatchenko, Lauridsen; Sparv; Sisto (Hassan 68), Poulsen, Andersson (Pusic 80), Royer; Rasmussen. Booked: Sparv, Poulsen. Goal: Rasmussen 28.
SOUTHAMPTON (3-1-4-2): Stekelenburg; Caulker (Tadic 56), Fonte, Yoshida; Romeu; Martina; Ward-Prowse, Davis (Juanmi 83), Targett; Pelle, Rodriguez (Long 76). Booked: Targett, Rodriguez.
Referee: L Liany (Israel).
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