Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg described their defeat away at Southampton 'as one of the toughest days' in his coaching career.

Boro took an early lead at St Mary's before going on to lose the play-off semi-final in extra time, as Shea Charles swung a cross into the area that ran all the way through into the net.

This result means Boro miss out on the play-off final after finishing fifth in the Championship standings.

"It feels tough, over two legs we did unbelievably and were so dominant in the first leg," Hellberg told BBC Radio Tees.

"We had to fight for the last half an hour, we had chances on the transition but we didn't get much out of them.

"It's a cross for the goal that goes in, there's emotions everywhere from this, I have every emotion and feeling that is possible to have in my body at this time.

"This is one of the toughest days in my career as a football coach, I feel for everyone around the club and I wish I could have done more.

"I'm unbelievably proud of everyone, for everything that happened through the season and they have played football that I am proud to watch."

Image source, Opta

Southampton and Middlesbrough's promotion destiny will be decided when they meet at St Mary's in the second leg of their Championship play-off semi-final on Tuesday (20:00 BST).

The sides played out a goalless draw in the first leg at The Riverside on Saturday and extra-time and penalties may be needed to determine which side progresses to the final at Wembley on 23 May to face either Millwall or Hull City, who play their second leg at The Den on Monday night.

• Southampton are winless in each of their past five matches in all competitions against Middlesbrough (D3 L2) since doing the league double over them in the Premier League in 2016-17 (1-0 at home, 2-1 away).

• In all competitions under Tonda Eckert, Southampton have lost only once at home – a 1-2 loss to Hull City in January – winning 13 of the other 18 matches (D5); their past two games at St Mary's have finished 2-2 against Bristol City and Ipswich Town in April.

• Middlesbrough are unbeaten in each of their past six away games in all competitions, all coming in the Championship (W2 D4), drawing each of their past four on the road, with the past three all ending 2-2.

• For only the third time in second tier play-off history, both first leg semi-final ties finished goalless, though Middlesbrough's xG in the first leg (1.82) was more than the other three sides combined (1.63).

• Southampton are aiming to reach the Championship play-off final for the second time, and first time since 2024, earning promotion with a 1-0 win over Leeds United after also finishing that campaign in fourth place.

• Middlesbrough are looking to reach the Championship play-off final for the first time since losing the 2015 final 2-0 to Norwich City; they've been eliminated in both play-off semi-final appearances since in 2018 and 2023, though drew both of their away legs 0-0 on those occasions.

• Southampton goalkeeper, Daniel Peretz, made four saves in the first leg against Middlesbrough; in the regular season only Carl Rushworth (7.72) and Radek Vítek (7.15) prevented more goals based on Opta's expected goals model than his 6.48 (18 goals conceded excluding own goals, 24.48 expected goals on target conceded).

• Middlesbrough's Matt Targett created more chances than anyone else across both first-leg ties of this season's Championship semi-final play-offs (4), all of which came from open play. Indeed, in the regular Championship season, the only defender to create more chances from open play than Targett (44) was Jay Dasilva (46).

Image source, Shutterstock

Middlesbrough captain Dael Fry remains full of confidence ahead of the return leg of the Championship play-off semi-final with Southampton.

The tie is goalless after the first match at the Riverside in which Boro could not capitalise on an excellent first half display as they peppered the Saints goal with 17 shots to the visitors' zero.

The match was more even after half-time but Fry has full belief that Kim Hellberg's team can produce what is required at St Mary's on Tuesday night (20:00 BST), as they have only lost one of their last 10 away matches.

"I'm proud of the lads," the defender told BBC Radio Tees. "I thought we were fantastic.

"Going there on Tuesday, we're full of confidence. Our away form this season has been really good and I'm fully confident we can go there and get a result."

There was a special atmosphere at the Riverside, with things fuelled by the spying allegations levelled at Southampton.

The Boro coach was greeted by thousands of fans as it arrived at the ground, a special moment for local boy Fry.

"I was blown away," he said. "Today made me proud to be from Teesside.

"I was welling up on the bus. If anyone had started speaking to me, I think I would have started crying."

Image source, Opta

Middlesbrough welcome Southampton for the Championship play-off semi-final first leg on Saturday lunchtime (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Boro won just two of their final 10 games in the regular season (D5 L3) to miss out on automatic promotion but can still reach the Premier League for the first time in nine years.

Saints were unbeaten in their last 19 league games to climb from 15th to fourth as they look to bounce straight back to the top flight.

• Middlesbrough have won their past two home games against Southampton, including a 4-0 league win in January. They've never won three in a row at home against Saints in all competitions.

• Having won four of their five meetings with Middlesbrough between 2005 and 2017 (L1), Southampton are now winless in their previous four against them (D2 L2).

• Middlesbrough were promoted to the top-flight via the play-offs in the second ever season they came into play (1987-88), beating Chelsea over two legs. Since then, they've been in the second tier play-offs four times without success, reaching the final only once (2014-15).

• This is Southampton's third appearance in the Championship play-offs, losing to Derby in the 2006-07 semi-final before beating Leeds in the final at Wembley in 2023-24.

• In their five previous Football League play-off campaigns, Middlesbrough have won the first leg of their semi-final tie only once (D2 L2), winning 2-1 at Brentford in 2014-15.

• Southampton come into this game unbeaten in their final 19 Championship games (W14 D5). Only in 2023-24 have they had a longer run without defeat in the league (22), eventually getting promoted via the play-offs in that campaign.

• Middlesbrough's past 11 goals in the regular Championship season were scored by either Tommy Conway (5), Morgan Whittaker (3) or David Strelec (3).

• Cyle Larin has been involved in six goals in his past six starts for Southampton in all competitions, scoring in each of his previous five (1 assist).