Southampton defeated twice in a day by Valencia and Red Bull Salzburg in a pre-season tournament in Austria

  • Ronald Koeman fielded two different teams for Southampton's matches 
  • A side featuring Graziano Pelle and Juanmi were beaten 1-0 by Valencia
  • Jay Rodriguez and Dusan Tadic unable to inspire Red Bull Salzburg win

Southampton were beaten twice on Saturday during a pre-season tournament, with Valencia winning 1-0 against Ronald Koeman's side before Red Bull Salzburg defeated a different Saints XI 2-0.

Graziano Pelle and Juanmi, a summer signing from Villarreal, led the line for the Saints against Valencia and were joined in the starting 11 by Sadio Mane, Victor Wanyama, captain Jose Fonte and Cuco Martina, who signed for the club on Tuesday from Twente.

But a strike from Pablo Piatti in the 23rd minute, a rebound from an initial attempt saved by Pablo Gazzaniga after the defence failed to clear a cross, was the difference between the two sides.

Graziano Pelle (centre) led the Southampton attack against Valencia but could not stop his side losing 1-0

Graziano Pelle (centre) led the Southampton attack against Valencia but could not stop his side losing 1-0

Spain striker Juanmi (left) partnered Pelle in attack for Southampton against Valencia on Saturday

Spain striker Juanmi (left) partnered Pelle in attack for Southampton against Valencia on Saturday

Koeman chose to give playing time to a number of promising youngsters Saints hope can blend into the senior team for the upcoming Premier League season.

Fonte was partnered in central defence by Jack Stephens, back at Saints after spending last season on loan at Swindon in League One. 

Jason McCarthy started at right-back while creative midfielder Lloyd Isgrove was also handed a start.

Defeat against Valencia in what was the semi-final of the Audi Cup in Austria meant Saints were paired with Salzburg for the third/fourth place play-off, after the host side were thrashed 4-0 by Werder Bremen.

But they managed to avenge the heavy defeat with a 2-0 triumph against a Southampton team with 11 different players from the Valencia encounter.

Jay Rodriguez started, continuing his comeback from a knee injury that ruled him out of Southampton's entire 2014-15 campaign. 

Other players starting against Valencia included Sadio Mane (bottom right) and Jose Fonte (third right, top)

Other players starting against Valencia included Sadio Mane (bottom right) and Jose Fonte (third right, top)

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman saw his team beaten twice in a day on Saturday in Austria

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman saw his team beaten twice in a day on Saturday in Austria

The England international led the line alongside Shane Long, Dusan Tadic and Gaston Ramirez.

But two goals in four minutes from Harvard Nielsen and Dimitri Oberlin in the 19th and 23rd minute handed Southampton their second loss of the day. 

The club begin their Premier League campaign away to Newcastle on August 9.