Slovenia vs Scotland: Pocognoli begins new era in Ljubljana
Marked Sebastien Pocognoli’s first match in charge, with Robbie Ure and Stephen Welsh handed debuts and Oli McBurnie returning to the starting XI in Ljubljana.
LJUBLJANA — Slovenia vs Scotland marked Sebastien Pocognoli’s first match as Scotland head coach on Saturday, with the Nations League tie taking place at Stadion Stožice and live coverage on BBC One from 1:45pm. Kick-off in Ljubljana was set for 2pm BST.
The game carried extra weight for Scotland after a squad shake-up brought first starts for Stephen Welsh and Robbie Ure, while Oli McBurnie returned to the starting line-up for the first time since 2021. Scotland also had to do without Scott McTominay, Che Adams, Lawrence Shankland, Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean.
New look under Pocognoli
Pocognoli was brought in as a left-field replacement for Steve Clarke, who resigned after Scotland’s group-stage exit from World Cup qualifying. The former Belgium international has promised a more energetic, front-foot style as Scotland look ahead to the future and to Euro 2028, when they will be co-hosts.
“We had a good camp, we reached all the aspects that we wanted to reach on the pitch but also off the pitch,” Pocognoli said in his press conference at the Stozice Arena.
He added: “Regarding the first game for Scotland, I’m excited because we want to see what we worked on this week. I’m very curious to see if we can produce this. I hope we are well balanced, well focused and well concentrated in the good moment, but also in the challenging moments.”
The Belgian also flagged the mental side of the job. “The mental aspect to have a first game with a new gaffer, with new ideas, it’s a consideration, the mental aspect. We try to plan the games on the physical aspect, the tactical aspect and on the performance aspect. These will be the last details,” he said.
What the team told us
Scotland appeared to line up in a back three, with Welsh alongside Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna, while Aaron Hickey and captain Andy Robertson operated as wing-backs. John Collins, speaking on BBC Sportsound, said: “For me, the hardest job in this system is for the two wing-backs.”
He added that the wide players had to “defend and supply crosses for the two strikers,” and said he did not think either Robertson or Hickey would last much longer than 60 minutes.
The pre-match scene was noisy and crowded at the stadium, with Scotland players arriving in red shirts, blue shorts and red socks. The anthems were played before Romanian referee Horatiu Fasnic led the teams out.
Slovenia were without Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko, who was still dealing with a shin issue, while Scotland’s return to League B and their fresh squad gave the match a clear early measure of how quickly Pocognoli’s ideas could stick.
BBC Sport also noted that Slovenia and Scotland had last met in a 2-2 draw in 2017, another reminder that the matchup has usually been tight. On the pitch, a slack pass from Scott McKenna early on let Slovenia spring forward, but Stephen Welsh recovered to snuff out the danger.
Robbie Ure then repelled a corner with a booming header, and Angus Gunn gathered when Slovenia worked the ball back into the box. John McGinn also tried to drive forward in the opening minutes, while Erik Janza launched a long throw into the Scotland area that Gunn claimed at the second attempt.
The opening signs were clear enough. Pocognoli’s first test came fast, and Scotland had already been pushed into a narrow, physical game before the crowd had even settled.
Source: bbc.com
