Scotland 0-3 Switzerland: Pocognoli’s Hampden Bow Ends In Defeat

Scotland 0-3 Switzerland: Pocognoli’s Hampden Bow Ends In Defeat By Callum McFadden at Hampden Park. Sebastien Pocognoli suffered defeat in his first home match in charge of Scotland as Switzerland ran out convincing 3-0 winners at Hampden Park. The visitors controlled possession from the outset, with Scotland looking to compensate through intensity and aggression without the ball. Debutant Luis Binks and Lewis Ferguson were both penalised for strong challenges inside the opening five minutes, setting the tone for a frantic start from the hosts. However, Scotland’s aggression soon came back to haunt them. Dan N’Doye raced onto a long pass as Switzerland launched a counter-attack, with Jack Hendry bringing the forward down as he approached the edge of the penalty area. Referee Nenad Minakovic initially awarded Switzerland a penalty and showed Hendry a yellow card, but VAR intervened to recommend a review. The decision was subsequently overturned to a free-kick just outside the box, with Hendry’s punishment upgraded to a straight red card. Scotland’s task became even more difficult moments later when veteran full-back Ricardo Rodriguez stepped up and curled the resulting free-kick into the bottom-left corner, leaving Angus Gunn with no chance. Pocognoli responded immediately, reshaping his side following Hendry’s dismissal. Swansea City centre-back Stephen Welsh was introduced in place of Sassuolo striker Kieron Bowie as Scotland sought greater defensive balance. The change helped the hosts settle and they created their best opportunity of the opening period in the 20th minute. Billy Gilmour released Andy Robertson down the left and the Scotland captain drove a low ball across the face of goal which appeared destined to reach Oli McBurnie for a simple finish. Nico Elvedi had other ideas, however, with the Leeds United defender getting there a fraction ahead of McBurnie to divert the ball behind for a corner. Switzerland continued to pose a threat and came close to doubling their advantage before the half-hour mark. Aston Villa’s Johan Manzambi collected the ball on the edge of the box, turned sharply and fired a low effort narrowly wide of Gunn’s goal. The Scotland goalkeeper was called into action again shortly before the interval, getting down smartly to hold a driven N’Doye effort that was heading towards the bottom corner. Scotland therefore went into half-time a goal behind and a man down, with Switzerland having enjoyed the majority of possession and opportunities following a chaotic opening 45 minutes. This pattern continued after the break, with Scotland struggling to compete against a confident Swiss side while playing with ten men. Switzerland doubled their advantage in the 55th minute when Elvedi arrived in the box to sweep home an N’Doye cross, effectively putting the visitors in unassailable control of the game. Pocognoli immediately responded with a triple substitution, sending on Ben Gannon-Doak, Ryan Christie and Robbie Ure for Nathan Patterson, Oli McBurnie and Billy Gilmour. The changes, however, were unable to stem the flow. Switzerland continued to dominate possession and territory before adding a third in the 82nd minute. N’Doye was again the provider, delivering another dangerous cross which found Zeki Amdouni, who smashed the ball beyond Gunn to complete a comfortable victory for the visitors. For Pocognoli, it was a difficult introduction to life at Hampden Park. The early dismissal of Hendry left Scotland facing an uphill battle against a Switzerland side ranked 14th in the world, with Rodriguez, Elvedi and Amdouni all finding the net. Two games into Pocognoli’s tenure, Scotland are still searching for their first goal under the Belgian.