Ralph Hasenhuttl spoke to the media on Thursday afternoon ahead of Southampton’s first match of the season against Burnley, and he appeared to drop a hint about how he might approach the game.
The Austrian had experimented with a 4-2-2-2 shape in the early stages of pre-season, but as the friendly fixtures progressed, he reverted to a more resolute 3-4-1-2 formation.
This was the case last term, as Saints’ defensive deficiencies restricted the boss from deploying his preferred style. It was widely expected that the 4-2-2-2 which worked so effectively for him at RB Leipzig would be employed for his first full campaign at St Mary’s Stadium, but his recent comments ahead of the trip to Burnley suggest otherwise.
Hasenhuttl, as displayed by the club’s official website, indicated that the 3-4-1-2 shape, with Nathan Redmond operating just behind Danny Ings and Che Adams, could be selected. He said:
It’s a big battle in the front for these three positions.
Read Southampton’s verdict
Saints have been opened up all too easily when they have played 4-2-2-2, and it is by no means a consequence of Hasenhuttl’s tactics. The centre-backs currently at the club have proven to be unreliable in this setup, and while mistakes still occur when a back three is utilised, errors are less common, and the team plays with greater solidity.
For an away trip to Burnley, where the game is likely to be cagey and closely-contested, taking a more resilient approach could be favourable. With two midfielders operating ahead of a back three, there is greater protection, and Saints may be harder to trouble from crosses in the wide areas, with Sean Dyche likely to play with two forwards.
Hasenhuttl has often shown tactical flexibility, and as the season progresses, he may well change things around. However, it seems, for now, he has settled on a system that will incorporate a front three, likely built from the foundations of a defensive trio, rather than the previously-expected 4-2-2-2 system.
