Southampton came from behind to beat AS Monaco 3-1 at St Mary's, with goals from Adam Armstrong, Stuart Armstrong and James Ward-Prowse proving to be the difference for Saints. Goals from Adam Armstrong, Stuart Armstrong and James Ward-Prowse helped Saints come from behind to beat their opponents from France, who finished third in Ligue 1 last term. Monaco had taken the lead in the first half through Aleksandr Golovin, but Southampton put in a fine second half performance to end their wait for a win in pre-season in their first of two fixtures at St Mary's this week.
In pre-season, it has become something of a familiar sight for Southampton fans to see the team line up with a back three and wing-backs. But while it has been Moussa Djenepo and Kyle Walker-Peters more often as the two wing-backs, it was a surprise to some supporters to see Romain Perraud return at left wing-back for his first appearance of pre-season against Monaco after missing out with a leg injury in recent weeks and months.
Hasenhuttl has said that playing with a back three offers Southampton more defensive stability and Saints' defenders were rarely troubled, although the Austrian's side had not found the balance between being solid defensively and bright in attack in their first few games in pre-season.
