Southampton wrapped up their pre-season with a goalless draw against Getafe at St. Mary’s Stadium. The match saw Will Smallbone come close to scoring twice in the first half, while Adam Armstrong missed a late opportunity to secure the win.
The game was relatively uneventful, with Saints showcasing a solid defensive performance that resulted in their second clean sheet in three pre-season friendlies. With attention now shifting to their upcoming Premier League opener against Newcastle, manager Russell Martin fielded a mostly different starting lineup from their previous match against Lazio.
Despite some early scuffles and flashes of aggression on the pitch, the focus remained on the football itself. Alex McCarthy made a crucial save early on, and Kyle Walker-Peters made his first pre-season appearance at left wing-back. There were positive moments from Yukinari Sugawara and Ben Brereton Diaz, but Southampton’s missed opportunities in front of goal ultimately led to a draw.
Manager Martin made several substitutions throughout the game, giving players like Paul Onuachu and Joe Lumley a chance to showcase their skills. The team’s overall performance was steady, with moments of promise in both defense and attack.
Overall, the goalless draw against Getafe served as a decent conclusion to Southampton’s pre-season preparations. The team will now shift their focus to the challenges that lie ahead in the upcoming Premier League season, aiming to carry forward the positives from their friendly matches into competitive fixtures. With a solid defensive foundation and room for improvement in the attacking third, Southampton will look to hit the ground running as they kick off their campaign.