THE Europa League will be an amazing experience for Saints, according to Jordy Clasie – who believes he also knows the best method for beating Vitesse this week.

Ronald Koeman’s side begin their campaign in the competition this Thursday, when they host the Dutch outfit in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie.

Twelve years on from the last time Saints played on such a stage, it promises to be a memorable occasion at St Mary’s.

Clasie already has experience of the Europa League from his time with Feyenoord, and he believes it will be a wonderful thing for everyone associated with the club.

“It’s important for us, for every player, to play the Europa League,” said the midfielder.

“I play last season with Feyenoord and it’s amazing to play that league.

“I think the people in Southampton, they want to play the Europa League, we want to play the Europa League and it’s important we win against Vitesse.”

As well as European competition, Clasie has plenty of experience against Vitesse, having spent all of his career, up to this coming season, in the Eredivisie.

The 24-year-old believes they will offer a similar challenge to Feyenoord, who Saints beat 3-0 in last week’s friendly match, in Rotterdam.

And he is confident that, if Saints press their opponents and exert their power, they will emerge victorious.

“I think it’s a little bit the same team as Feyenoord,” he said.

“They want to play football, they like it to build up, and it’s important for us that we stay compact and we have to press them, and that’s what I said – when you press many teams in Holland they’re under pressure and if you press them good then it’s easy to get the ball from them.”

Clasie believes last week’s trip to Holland, in which Saints also beat Groningen 3-0 and minnows KVV Quick ’20 10-0, will stand them in good stead for this week’s test, and he says excitement is building among the squad for the clash with Vitesse.

“For sure, I think everyone is looking forward to that game,” he said.

“I think everyone in Southampton wants to play the Europa League and it’s important for us that we had good games before that game.

“We play against Groningen, where we win, Quick ’20 was an amateur [team], and now it was for us a good test to play [Feyenoord] and we win 0-3, and now we have to go up to [Vitesse].”