We here at the Transfer Tavern are excited for the next round of fixtures in the Europa League, and there is a very tasty looking clash between Inter Milan and Southampton set to take place this Thursday.

Not only that but it’s to take place in one the most iconic stadiums in the world – the San Siro.

It will be a tough task for the Saints but if they can use the way they played against Burnley at weekend and winning 3-1, they will have no problems causing an upset in Milan.

Inter, on the other hand, come into the game on the back of a 2-1 defeat to newly promoted Serie A side Cagliari.

Southampton have had a mixed start to life in Europe under Claude Puel after an impressive 3-0 victory over Sparta Prague in game one. They then went on to draw 0-0 with Hapoel Be’er Sheva from Israel.

Perhaps this could be the best time for Southampton to play Inter and cause an upset in the Europa League.

With that here is a starting XI we believe is capable of defeating the Italian side…

GK: Fraser Forster

The England international is the obvious first choice goalkeeper at Southampton, and a key player if the Saints are to get anything from the game.

A clean sheet or just a brilliant display could be enough for the Premier League side.

RB: Cuco Martina

The 27-year-old defender has established himself at right-back so far this season for the Saints.

The defender who arrived at the club last season was used mainly as a bit part player during his first season in English football ,but after some impressive spells this term finds himself first choice and no reason to change something that’s working especially against a side like Inter.

CB: Virgil Van Dijk

The Dutch centre-back is arguably one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, and our landlord here at the Tavern feels like the defender will play a key role in ensuring the likes of Mauro Icardi and Eder are kept quite during the game.

The defender has experience of European football from his time with Scottish side Celtic – he can use this in the bigger occasions like this Thursday.

CB: Jose Fonte

The Southampton captain is a great leader and despite his age of 31-years-old; he still has the capability of keeping up with some of the better strikers in the Premier League and with his experience of winning the Euros with Portugal- on a night like this at the San Siro he is a must in the heart of the defence.

LB: Sam McQueen

The young lad could be about to start in one of the biggest games of his life this Thursday!

With Ryan Bertrand injured and now Matt Targett too, the young 21-year-old McQueen will probably find himself on the team-sheet.

He made a great start with his game against Burnley this Sunday, just gone when he was brought on in the 14th minute after an injury to Targett.

CDM: Oriol Romeu

The Spanish central-midfielder has come into his element under new boss Claude Puel thus far this season.

Our landlord has been very impressed by the former Chelsea man, after the start he had made. the 25-year-old has played in Germany and Spain before and featured in European competition with both.

This experience and his performances so far would be priceless in a game like this for the Saints.

CM: James Ward-Prowse

Having rested the young midfielder for majority of the game at Burnley this weekend – which would indicate Puel’s intentions to keep the England under-21 star in  the starting XI for European games.

The midfielder looks set for a big future in the heart of the Saints midfield, and where better to play for the club you love than in Europe at the San Siro.

CAM: Dusan Tadic

The 27-year-old Serbian has been one of the best players for Southampton since his arrival.

With the ability to play anywhere along the font line; it gives Puel the option to shuffle him about during the game, which will be a key asset to defeating Inter is too read their game in order to know whats going to ensure a goal is scored.

Tadic isn’t shy to take players on and score goals for himself and he was a key factor in getting Southampton into Europe.

CM: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Since arriving from Bayern Munich this summer, the Dane has had a mixed start to life, but mostly very promising thus far.

With experience with Schalke whilst on-loan at the club last term in european competition; that could really be key in an upset from the Saints.

ST: Nathan Redmond

Despite Puel trying his hardest to transfer Redmond into an out and out striker it hasn’t really worked, and after the uprising of Charlie Austin – it seems only fitting that the England under-21 star Redmond is placed in his natural position on the wing.

After grabbing himself a goal against Burnley on Sunday, we here at the Transfer Tavern wouldn’t be surprised if after scoring against Burnley this Sunday gone, that he will be hungry for me!

ST: Charlie Austin

After a dismal start to life at Southampton – the English forward has sprung back to life so far this season.

Scoring a brace against his former club Burnley this weekend, could lead to more goals for the 27-year-old this season.

The English striker knows where the net is!

But during his time with the Saints, he has struggled to find the back of it at times and struggled with injury problems.

However in recent weeks it appears he’s got his mojo back under Puel and Austin is back to his previous best.