Claude Puel has urged his side to stay calm in the face of the storm as Saints prepare for one of the biggest nights in the club’s history.

Saints tonight take on Inter Milan at the San Siro in a dream Europa League fixture.

With 7,000 Saints fans making the journey to Milan, it is sure to be a night to remember, and without question one of the greatest ever for the club.

Puel is trying to keep a sense of calm amongst his squad and as he attempts to shield them from all the hype.

He said: “I think this game is very important but it’s one of the games for the qualification.

“It’s important to stay with good concentration for every game of this Europa League.

“Of course, to play away and Inter Milan is exciting, but this is for us just a game.

“It’s important to take and to try to take the three points.

“The result is very important now for the feeling of the qualification.

“Of course, it’s a great team with great players but we need points and it’s the same for this team.”

With the club having so recently tasted League One football, the rise to face Inter at the San Siro is a dream occasion.

“The first it’s fantastic to see all these fans see our game,” reflected Puel. “It’s a fantastic support and it’s important to make a good game to try to take points.

“Every time, every game, it’s important to play good football, to have a good team, and we start with a good team for us.

“It’s the same for all the games. It’s important to continue this work.

“We are lucky because I think where we have a good team, good players, not just 11 players we can start every time with a good balance between the play, good combinations, it’s just difficult for this time with the injuries of Bertrand, Targett, Jeremy Pied.

“It’s a problem with all this many games for the month but I think all my players are at a good level, feeling in good spirit and it is important to continue this work.”

There could be a strange atmosphere tonight with the 80,000 capacity ground, one of the biggest in world football, expected to be half empty, and with Inter supporters still fuming with star striker Mauro Icardi over comments he made in a recent book.

Again, though, Puel is urging his players to block it out and stay focussed.

“Of course when a team needs points in the championship or in a cup the fans are sometimes angry and it’s the same for all the clubs. For us it’s important to take a good concentration on our play,” insisted Puel.

“It’s true it will be a strong game for us and for them but it’s important to stay with calm with all the situation.

“All this is interesting to see a good game.”