Inter Milan vs. Southampton: Score, Reaction from 2016 Europa League Match

Inter Milan finally grabbed their first win of the 2016-17 UEFA Europa League campaign on Thursday, beating Southampton 1-0 in a Group K match at the iconic San Siro.

Southampton dominated the first half but couldn't convert any of their chances, and Antonio Candreva made them pay midway through the second half.

Marcelo Brozovic got himself sent off with 13 minutes left to play, handing Saints a lifeline, but the Nerazzurri held on to their lead.

As shared by Sam Tighe of Bleacher Report, the visitors kept Jordy Clasie on the bench, while Mauro Icardi started for Inter:

The Argentinian and some of the Nerazzurri fans are still on bad terms, and Football Italia thought the Saints fans might be louder than their Italian counterparts:

Inter have started their Europa League campaign in dreadful form, and Southampton looked to take advantage early on, pushing forward in numbers.

Jeison Murillo blocked a sharp cross before Cuco Martina almost gifted Icardi the opener, playing a short pass back to goalkeeper Fraser Forster, which the Argentinian managed to cut out. He had to settle for a corner after good work from Forster, however.

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Virgil van Dijk isolated Jay Rodriguez with a clever ball over the top, but the forward took far too much time on the ball, allowing Miranda to return in time and make the block. Dusan Tadic tried his luck with a long free-kick, but his effort hit the wall.

BT Sport's James Horncastle checked in on the fans, who loudly jeered Icardi when his name was read out before the opening whistle:

Inter didn't seem comfortable at the back, and some bad communication between Samir Handanovic and Murillo resulted in the former giving the latter an earful. Saints were by far the better team, and the home fans didn't like it one bit.

But major chances were few. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Martina combined to find Shane Long, who couldn't turn his header goalward, and Oriol Romeu powered a volley wide.

Squawka Football shared this telling statistic:

It took 30 minutes for the first real chance to arrive, as Handanovic tried to clear a ball and accidentally punched it on to Rodriguez's head. The ball slowly bounced toward the Inter goal, but fortunately for the hosts, Yuto Nagatomo was there to make a clearance.

James Ward-Prowse went close shortly after, sending a shot just over the bar after yet another great run from Martina. The full-back was then played in by Tadic with acres of space to work with, and he really should have hit the target and put Handanovic to work.

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Gary Medel powered a header into the hands of Forster, and Rodriguez only just failed to connect with a sharp Martina cross as half-time drew near. The last chance of the half fell to Eder, who missed the target with a low shot Forster had covered.

Tighe thought all the visitors needed was some better finishing to take the lead:

Saints lost Long to an apparent hamstring injury just three minutes into the second half, giving Charlie Austin a chance to show what he could do.

Miranda denied Rodriguez with a fantastic tackle before the Southampton forward thought he had opened the scoring, but the official called the goal back for a push on Davide Santon. 

Suddenly, the action came fast and furious. Icardi should have given the hosts the lead after some good work from Eder, firing wide from a promising position, and Austin went close on the other end of the pitch, pushing the ball past the wrong side of the post.

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The Nerazzurri improved as the half wore on, and despite being second best for most of the night, they took the lead with 20 minutes left to play. Santon found a pocket of space out wide and played in a cross for Candreva, who expertly converted.

Per OptaPaolo, it took the former Lazio man some time to grab his first goal for his new club:

Inter were now in complete control and went looking for a second goal. Icardi produced a lovely bit of skill but had his shot blocked, and Murillo couldn't turn the resulting set piece on goal.

Saints brought on Sofiane Boufal in a desperate attempt to turn the tide, and Brozovic handed the visitors some more momentum by running into his second booking of the evening. The Croat needlessly took out Hojbjerg, and the second yellow was well deserved.

Paddy Power couldn't believe it:

Southampton pushed up the pitch, and Van Dijk almost converted a cross from close range, with Handanovic making a last-ditch save. 

Inter started wasting time, resulting in yet another booking, this time for Medel. Their tactics seemed to work, however, as Southampton lost their intensity and couldn't get control of the ball.

When they did, they forced Nagatomo into yet another goal-line clearance, this time to deny Van Dijk. Handanovic also pulled off some late heroics, and despite the Southampton pressure, the hosts held on for the win.

Inter's next match will be in Serie A, away at Atalanta, while Southampton visit Manchester City in the Premier League.