Scotland vs Slovenia. UEFA Nations League Group B1. Match report as Scotland lose to Slovenia in the Nations League; Ryan Christie opened the scoring before the break; Aljosa Matko pulled the visitors level; Danijel Sturm put them ahead soon after Matko was denied a second; Scotland are third in Group B1 with two games to play Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli remains without a Hampden Park win as Slovenia came from behind to take the points in their Nations League match. The Belgian was looking to end his first international window with a home victory to move the Scots up to second in Group B1.
Ryan Christie was brought into the starting XI as Pocognoli looked to add some creativity, and his decision paid off when the Bournemouth midfielder backheeled in the opener after Jack Hendry – back from suspension – headed off the post. A win meant Scotland would sit second in Group B1 with two games left to play, but the visitors were determined to take that spot. After Andy Robertson cleared Zan Vipotnik’s effort, Aljosa Matko raced through and slotted in to pull level and the Scots looked rattled. Danijel Sturm blazed an effort over the bar and Matko was denied a second by the offside flag before they did take the lead.
The pair combined again, with Sturm guiding the ball home. Scotland tried to find a way back into the game with soft penalty pleas quickly dismissed when both Findlay Curtis and Josh McPake were bundled over in the box. It has been a tough start to the new Scotland era with just one win from four in this extended international break. They return to action next month for their final Nations League games against North Macedonia and Switzerland. 2: CHANCE!
Ryan Christie finds John McGinn and he shoots first time from outside the area, but the shot is blocked. 13: OFF THE LINE! Danijel Sturm is played in down the left and cuts the ball to Adam Cerin but his effort is cleared by Jack Hendry. 31: GOAL SCOTLAND! Jack Hendry’s header hits the post, Oli McBurnie misses the follow-up but Christie is there to backheel the ball into the net. 39: CHANCE! Zan Vipotnik is ready to tuck his effort into the bottom corner before Andy Robertson slides in to block. 52: CHANCE!
Ben Gannon-Doak drives forward and lays it off for Christie to run onto but his shot is beaten away by Jan Oblak. 57: GOAL SLOVENIA! Aljosa Matko races through and slots his effort into the bottom left corner. 59: SLOVENIA SHOULD BE AHEAD! Sturm squanders a brilliant chance, blazing his effort over the bar. 69: NO GOAL! Matko pokes home what would have been his second goal, but the offside flag cuts his celebrations short. 72: GOAL SLOVENIA!
Matko squares the ball to Sturm and he guides it home. Two goals in 14 minutes! 76: SCOTLAND WANT A PENALTY! Findlay Curtis has the ball in the area and is bundled to the ground but play is waved on. 78: ANOTHER PENALTY CLAIM! Josh McPake breaks into the area and, in a similar fashion to the first claim, he is bundled to the ground.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli: “We played not a game that we wanted to deliver. I think we were not at the level that we expected to be on the ball, but also off the ball. “So, yes, disappointment feeling, 100 per cent. “To the other side, we look back to what we delivered also through the camp, which can give some strong foundation for the future.
“Today, we just have to analyse what the next camp can or has to improve. I don’t think we deserve to get more than what we get. Slovenia played a good game and we were not at the level. Asked about where Scotland are after his first camp, Pocognoli added: “I think they are on track.
I think the players delivered a great camp. Maybe on the ranking aspect, especially with the game of today, we are disappointed. “But the job that we delivered with the staff, with the players, and some moments during the four games was positive. “Today was not what we expected.
We have to be objective that we need to improve on many things. “The Macedonia game was good. But I was also really reflective and clear that not everything will be perfect against maybe a stronger opponent. Today, we didn’t show enough.” Scotland midfielder Ryan Christie speaking to BBC Scotland: “A frustrating night.
The first half wasn’t particularly great but we came out a lot better. “Then they get the goal and from there, we struggled. A frustrating way to end, especially given how we started the second half. “Plenty to reflect on.
It was nice to score but it feels a lot nicer when you win, that is the frustrating part. “We didn’t create enough tonight with the possession we had. All we can do now is reflect. We will be back in November.
“The previous game at home was a lot different. This is a lot more disappointing. “This is a new group, a lot of youngsters, and they will gain experience. Hopefully, we keep building.” Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m!
