Inter Milan coach Frank de Boer was relieved to overcome Europa League opponents Southampton on Thursday.

Antonio Candreva struck the only goal of the game.

“We must continue like this and win every game, so the last two in the group will be particularly important," De Boer told Sky Sport Italia.

“I have to compliment the team, because we played with a lot of discipline. Southampton played in much the same style as we did.

“The second half was bad, the second we did better and Candreva scored a fantastic goal. After Marcelo Brozovic's red card we struggled, but I admire the reaction from the lads, because we held out to the end.

“We talked a great deal about the approach to the game, as it was important to me we played together as a unit. You can't always press high, so for me we did well in the circumstances.

“We knew Southampton were particularly strong in the air and it was difficult when down to 10 men, but we have a fantastic goalkeeper in Samir Handanovic.

“We can improve on our marking, but what we saw tonight was an improvement. During the half-time break we talked and pledged to be less afraid. It was the same tactic, we just played the ball better and that was the result."