Cédric to draw on derby experiences from Portugal

Despite some refusing to see Southampton’s game against the Cherries as a derby, Cédric says the close proximity of the teams means there’s guaranteed to be a rivalry.

The right-back became accustomed to intense derby-day atmospheres during his time in Portugal when Sporting CP took on arch rivals Benfica.

And he’s looking forward to that sort of intensity again on Sunday at St Mary’s. “Sporting against Benfica is the derby of Portugal,” Cédric told youtube.com/southamptonfc.

“There were a lot of things, the fans go crazy, the environment around the game, all week speaking about the game, it’s a game with a lot of pressure.

“It’s those kind of games that players like to play because it’s about small details – the high level, the pressure that football has.

“That’s where players grow up as a player. That’s nice. I hope this derby will be kind of a really tough game, because it means we will need to be in our best moment to beat Bournemouth.

“They just arrived in the Premier League and they are close to Southampton, so it’s a derby this Sunday,” continued Cédric.

“It’s a team still adapting to the Premier League. Against Bournemouth in our heads we just think about winning. A Premier League game is always tough.”

The two sides, who have not met since 2011 in League 1, go head-to-head in the top flight for the first time ever this weekend, and Cédric says the players will not need any extra motivation.

“There’s always an extra motivation in a derby,” he added. “You feel it outside the field and inside the field. You still feel it’s your direct opponent.

“In this case, Bournemouth is so close to Southampton, so for sure we will feel that on the field and do our best to beat them.”