Thursday 20 October 2016 22:37, UK
Virgil van Dijk believes Southampton's profligacy was to blame for the 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan at the San Siro.
The Saints were by far the better team against the Italian giants, but Antonio Candreva bagged the only goal of the game with Inter's solitary attempt on target.
Van Dijk could and probably should have scored twice himself late on, but the centre-back believes that his side should have been out of sight by half-time, such was the level of their control of the game.
"We were the only team that deserved to win and to concede a goal with their only chance frustrated," Van Dijk said.
"We should have had the game dead and buried in the first half but that is what happens if you don't take your chances.
"I had a big chance with my left foot and a header. We had so many opportunities to win the game."
Inter went down to 10 men for the final 12 minutes when Marcelo Brozovic was shown a second yellow, but even with a numerical advantage Southampton were unable to find the net.
"It's a very, very good game and unlucky - we are just unlucky," Southampton boss Claude Puel told reporters after the game.
"We do good work and with all the many chances we can play very good on the ground with quality, and just [need] a goal to be rewarded for all this good play. It is a frustration."
The result also relieved some of the pressure that had been building on Inter manager Frank de Boer, and the Dutchman said: "They created some very dangerous chances. We knew that they were very dangerous.
"At first there were small chances for both of us. Luckily we have a great goalkeeper, he was unbelievable. The result for the group? It's very important for us."
