Pocognoli to begin Scotland tenure against Slovenia

Sebastien Pocognoli will lead Scotland for the first time when the team opens its Nations League campaign against Slovenia in Ljubljana on September 26, beginning a demanding sequence of four matches over 11 days. The match is scheduled for 14:00 BST at Stadion Stožice. Scotland will play Switzerland at home on September 29, travel to North Macedonia on October 3 and host Slovenia on October 6. The run gives Pocognoli an early test with a reshaped squad and little time between fixtures to train and recover. The new head coach, appointed in August after Steve Clarke left following Scotland’s World Cup group-stage exit, said he has already decided on his formation and starting team for the opener. The actual lineup has not been announced. Pocognoli also said Scotland must remain tactically flexible across the four games rather than rely on one fixed approach. Eight players in the squad have yet to earn a senior Scotland cap. Pocognoli said integrating new faces while maintaining cohesion would be a challenge. He said planning would account for training loads, matches and recovery, as well as tactical and physical demands.