Vitor Matos rues "passive" first-half display in Southampton defeat

Head coach Vitor Matos acknowledged his Swansea City side had paid for being too passive during the opening half as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at Southampton.

The Swans lost for the first time in the Championship this season and had trailed 2-0 at the interval with Finn Azaz and Cyle Larin on the scoresheet.

The visitors improved after the break, with Zan Vipotnik opening his account from the penalty spot after being hauled down in the area, and they unsettled their opponents as they sought an equaliser.

But ultimately they were unable to make the most of some promising situations and they were punished when Leo Scienza finishing off a Southampton breakaway to put the game to bed.

“We have to be honest and say Southampton were the better side, especially in the first half,” said the Swans boss.

“They were more aggressive than us, they played with more intensity and we were quite passive, they showed more speed than us.

“We had some good moments, but we also had a lot of moments where we were not us and they scored the two goals and it shows where we need to improve.

“In the second half we were much more competitive, we showed much more desire, and we were a lot closer to what we want to be.

“That’s the learning we should take from the game, and I am proud of the players because in a difficult situation they did not stop trying to play, they did not stop trying to press.

“We need to improve our last decisions in the final third and the consistency of our play to be clinical in all situations.”

Vipotnik’s penalty was taken and dispatched with the sort of calmness that typified the Slovenian’s 2025-26 campaign, and Matos hopes the striker takes confidence from being back on the scoresheet.

“It is good for him to have that feeling of scoring,” said Matos.

“It’s important for him, but more important is that he plays collectively and again finds his ability with the press to be the player he was last season.”