Sebastien Pocognoli admits Scotland had to ‘suffer together’ against Slovenia
Scotland played out a goalless draw in Ljubljana during the 39-year-old Belgian head coach’s first game in charge.
Sebastien Pocognoli claims his Scotland side had to “suffer together” before they imposed themselves in the goalless draw against Slovenia in Ljubljana.
In his first game as the Scots head coach, the 39-year-old Belgian head coach refreshed the side for the Nations League Group B1 opener in the Stozice Stadium, but in a mostly uninspiring first half they rode their luck on several occasions.
However, in a marked second-half turnaround, only a fine performance from Slovenia captain and goalkeeper Jan Oblak kept the visitors at bay.
Pocognoli said: “The last feeling in the dressing room some minutes ago was positive because we had a good second half.
“We faced what we expected, a really aggressive Slovenia team but we were a little bit surprised about the shape.
“It looked like a back five, but it was actually a back four when they were on the ball.
“Because of that we really struggled to find a way to press so we were quite deep and low on the pitch. That meant we suffered.
“But what we learned from the first half was that we had to defend the box well – to be resilient and to just suffer together.
“I think it’s nice to have a moment like this also, when a new gaffer starts.
“We conceded a lot of set-pieces that we had practised for. After five minutes we needed everything that we had practised and we did it well.
“We created two chances of our own, but Slovenia were more dominant.
“So at half-time we adjusted one or two things and we were much better with two sixes and two 10s.
“It helped us to press higher up the pitch and was better for the counter press because we were not running everywhere.
“In my opinion it was a very good second half. We created chances that we maybe should have to score.
“But it was a good counter press, with a good, high defensive line and good communication on the pitch. I could see the players enjoyed the second half.
“At the end, it’s a clean sheet and that’s also positive for the defenders.
“But I hope we can produce in the next game what we produced in the second half today.”
Striker Oli McBurnie, back in the side for the first time in five years and substitute Kieron Bowie both missed good chances, while debutant Robbie Ure clipped the outside of a post just before the break.
Pocognoli did not want to make a big deal of the opportunities which would have given him the perfect dugout debut.
He said: “I believe that maybe we should have scored in the second half, but I always think that maybe there is some reason why we don’t.
“I don’t want to make a big topic about the missing of chances. That can happen.
“But what the offensive players delivered also in terms of pressing was maybe more than they have done before. So maybe they missed some freshness in the last movement.
“But, yes, we should have scored, but we are happy about the general performance. The strikers were the last detail today.”