Pocognoli’s reign as Scotland coach begins with stalemate in Slovenia
Scotland were held to a goalless Nations League draw by Slovenia in Sébastien Pocognoli’s first match since taking over from Steve Clarke
Sébastien Pocognoli grimaced on Friday when recalling his debut as an international player for Belgium. Alessandro del Piero and Italy discovered favourable opposition when preparing for the 2006 World Cup. Pocognoli will also look back, in time, at his first game as the manager of Scotland.
Blue skies, a dainty stadium in Ljubljana and a second-half display that provided glimpses of optimism in respect of Scotland’s world, post-Steve Clarke. The best-forgotten first 45 minutes can be explained away by a squad operating under a new regime. By full time, Slovenia were grateful for their point. Scotland’s players took deserved applause.
Related: Slovenia 0-0 Scotland: Nations League – live
Scotland’s failing here was a familiar one. A lack of goals haunted Clarke. Nonetheless, this version of Scotland did at least create a series of openings. Scott McTominay, a key attacking threat, was missing. Instilling ruthlessness in a team is no easy task; it is one, however, Pocognoli has the coaching credentials to meet. Slovenia, on this evidence, have the more significant challenges.
“The feeling in the dressing room is positive because of the second half,” said Pocognoli. “We should have scored but I am very happy with the general performance of the strikers. It was only the last details we missed.” His demeanour was upbeat.
Ninety-four days had passed since Scotland’s loss to Brazil all but confirmed World Cup elimination. When that meek exit was certain, Clarke announced his resignation. Players and supporters alike seem caught between being highly grateful to Clarke for materially altering Scotland’s fortunes and heralding regime change.
In Slovenia, Pocognoli sampled international management for the first time at the age of 39. Slovenia failed to reach the World Cup, with the rows of empty seats telling the story of a country that is not at all convinced by its footballing outlook. The absence of Benjamin Sesko did nothing to help a shot-shy side.
Related: Ireland players vote to go ahead with Israel matches despite ‘different views’
Scotland could hardly bemoan poor preparation. Pocognoli had whipped his squad and mini-army of backroom staff to La Manga in the buildup to this Nations League game. With a sense of revolution in the air, the head coach unleashed a hitherto unseen front two: Robbie Ure was making his international debut while Oli McBurnie returned after years in the wilderness. The opening half only proved there is little point deploying multiple strikers if there is no adequate means of supplying them.
Scotland were awful in that first period. The football was passive and directionless. Players looked well-enough drilled off the ball, but descended into a state of panic when in possession. Slovenia, who were little better than ordinary, should have seized upon these shortcomings. To his credit, whatever message Pocognoli forcefully pressed home during the break had an effect.
Andraz Sporar had the ball in the net for the hosts in the eighth minute only for an offside flag to go up. Sporar subsequently missed a golden opportunity from six yards after fine work from Danijel Sturm. As Aljosa Matko shanked wide of Angus Gunn’s goal, the Tartan Army’s groans were audible.
Save a Ure shot from 20 yards that clipped the outside of a post, Scotland were nonexistent as an attacking force. An overhit Billy Gilmour pass that flew out of play when intended for the marauding Andy Robertson rather summed things up.
McBurnie should have marked his Scotland return with a goal within five minutes of the restart. He opted to try to jink around Jan Oblak rather than slam a shot past the goalkeeper. Oblak morphed into Inspector Gadget, stretching out his arms while grounded to pinch the ball from McBurnie’s feet.
This triggered Scottish improvement; Gilmour forced a save after a one-two with McBurnie. Aaron Hickey could not quite divert a John McGinn corner on target. Oblak had to be sharp to deny the Scotland substitute Kieron Bowie before doing likewise to McBurnie from the resultant corner.
Second-half Scotland involved a huge upturn. McBurnie said he would not be able to sleep due to his profligacy. Seventeen Scotland caps are yet to yield a goal.
Bowie’s miss, 12 minutes from time, was in the category of howler. Gilmour, increasingly influential as Scotland dominated, had fed his teammate. Pocognoli was emboldened, sending on Ben Gannon-Doak to replace Hickey. In old money, that represented a winger for a full-back.
Scotland huffed, puffed, pushed and wheezed. Slovenia stood firm. Pocognoli nodded with approval as the whistle blew. Next up, a Hampden Park bow against Switzerland on Tuesday.
