Pocognoli Era Starts Goalless as Scotland Squander Chances in Slovenia

Sebastien Pocognoli's reign as Scotland head coach began with a frustrating goalless draw in Ljubljana, where the visitors created enough openings to win but could not find a way past Slovenia.

The new manager saw his side carve out a number of good opportunities across the night. None of them were taken, and Scotland left with a point they will feel was two short of what their play deserved.

For Pocognoli, the result is a mixed first outing. Keeping a clean sheet on the road is a decent foundation for any new coach, and the attacking moves that produced those chances suggest the early ideas are getting through to the players. The lack of a cutting edge in the final third is the obvious problem to solve before the next fixture.

Slovenia, for their part, were content to defend their area and hold out, and they will be pleased to have avoided defeat against opponents who dominated the better openings.

Scotland supporters will take encouragement from the effort and the creativity on show, but the missed chances will sting. Pocognoli now has time on the training pitch to work on the finishing touches, with the aim of turning promising build-up play into goals when the team next takes the field.