Harry Gathercole (Image: Craig Hobbs / Southampton FC)
Harry Gathercole (Image: Craig Hobbs / Southampton FC)
SAINTS under-21s began their Premier League International Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Italian giants Juventus at St Mary's.
Red-hot Princewill Ehibhatiomhan bagged his 12th goal in nine appearances this season to set the tone for the encounter in the seventh minute.
But after Saints missed chances to seal it, Davide Marchisio, son of 55-cap Italy international Claudio, hit a rocket midway through the second half.
The players appeared dejected on the pitch at full-time, though they had performed well against a young but physical Juventus outfit.
If they had taken their first-half chances, they would have won comfortably against a team who play their weekly football against men in Serie C.
Adam Lallana's Saints were in a rich vein of form coming into the game, with three wins and a draw from their four Premier League 2 fixtures.
And the St Mary's legend, possibly foreshadowing by taking his own team from the touchline at St Mary's, named a strong side for the midweek test.
Finishes 1-1 between Saints and Juventus. Disappointment on the faces of the young Saints, shouldn’t be disheartened though. Would have won that had they been a bit more clinical. Juve a young team but physical. Not fireworks, but the crowd here seemed to enjoy it. #SaintsFC https://t.co/2qPg5QMH6W
— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) October 20, 2026
Ehibhatiomhan is a headline-maker, but Romeo Akachukwu, Sufianu Sillah Dibaga, Barnaby Williams and Joachim Kayi Sanda have played for the men.
George Long, who crucially saved a one-on-one midway through the first half, started in goal, fresh from boss Tonda Eckert's substitutes bench.
Sporting director Johannes Spors was among the Saints chiefs in attendance, as well as Sport Republic's group head of talent strategy Andy Goldie.
It took seven minutes for them to open the scoring, when Ehibhatiomhan flicked home Sillah Dibaga's pinpoint low cross from inside the penalty area.
And Ehibhatiomhan, who had scored braces in each of his last three appearances, combined with Sillah Dibaga again to crash another effort off the post.
But 17 year old Marchisio equalised with a rocket from outside the area in the 68th minute, before knee-sliding in front of the youthful Saints support.
The packed Itchen-Northam corner responded with booing and jeering, and they got off their feet for an Aston Daley chance that was saved late on.
Saints will go on to play Valencia, Monaco and Genk to complete their group, with the Spanish side visiting England next on Tuesday, December 8.
But up next for Lallana’s charges is a return to Premier League 2 action, visiting Crystal Palace for a 7pm kick-off on Monday, October 26.
Saints: Long; Adjei-Afriyie, Day, Kayi Sanda, Anderson (Sewell, 64); Daley, Williams (Kakay, h-t), Gathercole, Akachukwu (Little, 82), Sillah Dibaga (Charles, 82); Ehibhatiomhan.
Unused subs: McNamara, Whittaker, Gbaujumo.
Booked: Anderson.
Juventus: Nava (Giaretta, 81); Gnikpingo, Precupanu, De Brul, Sylla (Marchisio, 58), Rocchetti, Repcuic (Del Fabro, 71), Yeboah, Okolo (Przytarski, 58), Brancato, Santa Maria (Michelis, 81).
Unused subs: N/A.
Booked: Del Fabro.
Referee: Tolu Sangowawa.