Southampton defender Francis Benali was thrilled to share his thoughts on the upcoming Championship play-off final between Southampton and Leeds during a recent episode of the Football Daily 72+ podcast. He expressed his excitement for the game, acknowledging that it would be a tough match despite Southampton’s previous victories against Leeds during the season.
Benalia highlighted the psychological aspect of facing an opponent in a one-off game like the play-off final, emphasizing the significance of the prize at stake for both teams. He predicted that the final would be a high-quality, exciting match that could potentially become a classic.
Reflecting on Leeds’ impressive performance in the semi-final against Norwich, Benalia noted their danger as a team and urged Southampton to be at their best to secure victory on Sunday. He praised Leeds’ manager, Russell Martin, for creating a team with a strong identity and connection among supporters, players, and staff.
Benalia commended Southampton’s attacking prowess over the season but emphasized the importance of defense in the final. He urged Southampton to have a positive mindset and handle pressure effectively in determining their outcome in this important match. Benalia expressed hope that Russell Martin would continue to lead Southampton for many years to come. If you want more insights from Benalia on this exciting play-off final matchup, tune into BBC Sounds for the full episode!