Robertson says Scotland were ‘outfought’ by Slovenia

Ryan Christie scored for Scotland, but Aljosa Matko equalised and Danijel Sturm put Slovenia ahead in Tuesday’s match. Captain Andy Robertson said Scotland had been out-fought, BBC Scotland chief sports writer Tom English reported on 6 October. A BBC video caption attributed to coach Sébastien Pocognoli the view that Scotland did not deserve to win. [1]

English argued that Slovenia exposed Scotland’s back three and targeted Ben Gannon-Doak at wing-back. He noted that Gannon-Doak had played well in the role against North Macedonia the previous Saturday. Pocognoli changed formation and personnel at 1–1 and again after Slovenia went ahead, English wrote; in his view, the changes looked driven by desperation rather than by a plan. [1]

English said second place would bring pot-two seeding for December’s Euros draw. He argued that Pocognoli needs more training time and Scott McTominay at the heart of Scotland’s attacking midfield. The coach’s next chances, English wrote, are November matches away to Switzerland and at home to North Macedonia. [1]

Update

Scotland captain Andy Robertson said his team were “outfought” and “not good enough” after their 2–1 Nations League defeat by Slovenia at Hampden Park. He told BBC Sport Scotland that supporters might accept mistakes or a lack of quality, but would not accept being outfought. [2]

Robertson said Scotland had failed to repeat the good things they did in Saturday’s win in North Macedonia. He did not know why. He raised tiredness as a possibility, while noting that Slovenia had played the same number of games. [2]