(Credit: Imago)

Forget Adrian Segecic, Portsmouth player who made three key passes was magnificent vs Oxford

Andrew graduated with a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland in 2024 and gained his NCTJ Diploma in Journalism in the same year. He has previously covered Blyth Spartans AFC and South Shields FC for the Non-League Paper and worked as head of media at Seaham Red Star FC and Willington Quay Saints FC. Andrew completed the Breaking Media Academy programme before joining Breaking Media permanently in July 2025.

Published on:

10 Aug 2025, 8:15 am

Portsmouth made the perfect start to their Championship season with a victory at Oxford United.

Pompey won 1-0 thanks to a debut goal from Adrian Segecic, reacting quickly to smash home after Colby Bishop's effort was saved by Jamie Cumming.

Segecic, 21, impressed in pre-season after arriving from Sydney FC in the summer, and did his hopes of regular starting minutes no harm at all with his well-taken finish.

While the Australian has made the headlines for his crucial strike, one of his attacking teammates proved to be even more crucial.

Adrian Segecic scored the winner as Portsmouth defeated Oxford United (Credit: Imago)

Callum Lang impresses against Oxford United

Following Segecic's arrival at Fratton Park, Callum Lang has been moved out of position by John Mousinho.

At Oxford, Lang was moved to the right wing so the Australian could take his usual attacking midfield spot, but the Englishman took this in his stride.

Callum Lang vs Oxford	Total
Minutes	80
Accurate passes	12/15
Key passes	3
Accurate crosses	3/5
Big chances created	1

Callum Lang's creativity was on show against Oxford

Lang was immense at the Kassam Stadium, carving Oxford to pieces time and time again, registering three key passes and creating one big chance.

His impact could be felt after he was substituted with 10 minutes to go, when Pompey were struggling to hold on as they lacked control without Lang's energy.

Portsmouth struggled to create a chance when the former Wigan man went off, emphasising the need for him to remain in the starting XI.

Callum Lang was the star of the show at the Kassam Stadium (Credit: Imago)

Florian Bianchini needs to improve to keep Josh Murphy out of the side

With Lang likely to keep his spot on the right wing, that leaves competition between Josh Murphy and Florian Bianchini for the left wing position.

Bianchini started on the left over Murphy at the Kassam Stadium, but struggled as he missed several chances in the first half.

Florian Bianchini vs Oxford	Total
Minutes	67
Touches in opposition box	4
Dispossessed	5
Non-penalty expected goals	0.41

Bianchini wasn't great against Oxford

The Swansea loanee was substituted after 66 minutes, but will need to improve quickly before his place in the side no longer becomes a guarantee, especially with Lang shining on the right wing.

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Callum Lang

Adrian Segecic