Switzerland have responded exceptionally well after allegations of capers involving vaccination certificates that threatened to overshadow this international window. Make that six points out of six for Murat Yakin’s stylish team. Switzerland look comfortably capable of breezing out of Group B1 in the Nations League.
They have not even played at home yet. Sébastien Pocognoli, conversely, has been left to ponder one step forward and umpteen back. Scotland’s second half in Slovenia at the weekend provided hope to the new manager and a supporter base who want to enter a brave new world.
Age old, troublesome flaws remain. Jack Hendry’s red card meant Scotland played almost 80 minutes of this encounter with 10 men. They were, however, outclassed in every department.
Scottish patterns of play were not immediately obvious. The upcoming trip to North Macedonia carries importance as Pocognoli seeks to win hearts and minds. This was all pretty grim for anyone of a Scotland persuasion.
We put this moment in our DNA today and hopefully it can be helpful for the future.” Scottish expectancy heading into a World Cup where they subsequently took tedium to new levels feels a long time ago. They have scored only once in five games. Impotence can only concern Scotland’s Belgian manager, whose bow at Hampden Park was over as a contest long before full-time.
A penny for the thoughts of Steve Clarke, Pocognoli’s immediate predecessor and a coach much-maligned in certain quarters. Were Clarke in charge of this ragged display, the public response would have been ferocious. Judgment of Pocognoli on this occasion requires appropriate context.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
