We look up to City says Saints boss
SOUTHAMPTON will be facing a Leicester City side they consider “role models” when the pair meet at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final tomorrow.
Sat 14th in the table and having lost 11 of their last 14 Premier League games, the Saints are the outsiders for the quartet remaining in the FA Cup.
Over the past couple of years, City have managed to do what Southampton once threatened to and infiltrate the group at the top of the table.
For that, Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl says he looks up to City.
“I know that they are on a successful run,” he said. “To be part of the Champions League spots is showing the amazing work they’ve been doing for a few years. He (Brendan Rodgers) has made the squad into a top squad.
“They are on a different level than we are and to get to where they are is a long way away but I think Leicester are a great role model for all clubs who are below the top six.
“It shows that it is possible to make such a development and it is something we can look at.”
Despite their differing positions in the table, Hasenhuttl believes Wembley will provide a level playing field.
“We have faced them once this season and we lost 2-0 but didn’t play a very good game there,” he said. “So I expect a game for us, a very tough one
“But the semi-final of the cup has its own rules I think and for us it is not important what position we are in the table or what position they are.
“We had to go through the rounds and now we are facing each other for a big final for everybody.”