When Southampton spied on Middlesbrough’s training session, it was evident that the South Coast club was looking for an advantage over their opponent, but what precisely did they observe?

While the first leg was a draw, Tonda Eckert’s men won the second, defeating the Teessiders 2-1 in extra time.

Of course, we all know what transpired since, but now it’s clear what the intern analyst would have observed at Rockliffe Park.

Gary Weaver has revealed Middlesbrough’s Finn Azaz strategy.

Defeating Southampton was never going to be easy. The Saints were the Championship’s form side, having gone 19 league games undefeated before losing to Hull City in January.

Eckert’s team was full of confidence heading into the first leg, and they were widely regarded as the favourites to win instant promotion to the Premier League.

The South Coast club’s free-flowing attacking game, as well as the presence of several attacking gems such as Leo Scienza, Ross Stewart, and Finn Azaz, make them extremely dangerous.

Ironically, Azaz spent a year and a half at the Riverside before joining Southampton last summer, and it has now been revealed that his old team had a strategy to get the best of him.

Gary Weaver, a Sky Sports commentator, shared his thoughts on what a Saints spy might have observed at Rockliffe Park during an interview with the Essential EFL podcast.Weaver reported speaking with a high-ranking Middlesbrough official who was present that day.”I spoke with them the day after it happened because we were doing the play-off first leg, and they said that it’s matchday minus two, where they do their tactical work.”The Southampton representative saw how they were going to press Southampton, how they were going to play off Southampton’s press, and how they were going to deal with Finn Azaz. They had a plan to nullify Finn Azaz.”

Did Boro’s Azaz plot succeed?

Obviously, Middlesbrough’s overarching plan to defeat Southampton failed, as they were defeated, but how did Azaz perform in both legs of the play-off semi-finals?

Eckert’s team was typically slow at the Riverside, absorbing a beating from Boro, who were unable to make a crucial breakthrough.

Azaz had a disappointing evening on Teesside, with only 32 touches and no touches in the opposition box or shots, according to Futmob.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old failed to generate a single chance and was defeated in 38% of his ground duels, yielding an xA (expected assists) of 0.01.

The second leg for Southampton and Azaz was a completely different story, with Eckert’s side dominating throughout and, although losing first, always looking like winning.

Azaz was also significantly more successful, doubling his touches while only making one touch inside the opposition box and creating seven opportunities, according to Futmob.

Although he did not score or assist, he did take three shots, one of which was on goal, and his performance was worthy of a plan to outperform him.

Now, all of that is immaterial because Middlesbrough is preparing for the play-off final against Hull, and while Azaz may play Premier League football next season, it will not be with Southampton.