Southampton midfielder Jordy Clasie takes the blame for Sparta Prague goal

25 November 2016 10:09

Southampton midfielder Jordy Clasie thinks he and defender Cuco Martina are to blame for the only goal in the 1-0 defeat at Sparta Prague.

Saints fell behind in only the 11th minute when Clasie and Martina failed to track Costa Nhamoinesu at Borek Dockal's free-kick and the forward scored at goalkeeper Fraser Forster's near post.

The result means Southampton must win or draw 0-0 at home to Hapoel Be'er Sheva in December if they are to progress to the Europa League's knockout stages.

Southampton - who have won only twice in their past eight games in all competitions - again rarely looked like scoring, and discussing Costa's finish on the club's official website, Clasie said: "In the first half they won a free-kick from 20 metres, 30 yards and there is a miscommunication between me and Cuco and from there they score.

"If you see the whole game, it was very difficult to create chances because they dropped far back.

"In the first half we should have scored already and we have to create more chances as well because we had about 70 per cent ball possession so we are very disappointed.

"We need to look further now because we have another important game on Sunday (at home to Everton in the Premier League) and it's in our hands because we have the home game against Be'er Sheva."

Southampton's record in away European fixtures this season stands at one draw and two defeats, both of which were avoidable and have threatened their hopes of reaching the competition's next stage.

In what appeared to be a reasonably forgiving Group K, they are at risk of wasting the opportunity to progress, and the 25-year-old Clasie said: "A lot of people are travelling to support us so it's disappointing for them but also for us because we want to give them three points and goals so they can enjoy the trips.

"It's not what happened in these three away games so we feel sorry for the fans as well.

"Now we need to get up for Sunday and then win the last game in the group."

Source: PA