Scotland 0-3 Switzerland: Pocognoli's Hampden debut spoiled by early red
Switzerland spoiled Sebastien Pocognoli's Hampden debut with a ruthless 3-0 win over ten-man Scotland.
The Nations League tie, UEFA's competition that pits national teams against sides at a similar level, was played at Hampden Park in Glasgow on Tuesday, 29 September. The defeat leaves Scotland still searching for a first win under their new head coach and third in their group after two games. BBC Sport
Pocognoli was appointed in August as Steve Clarke's successor. He had started with a goalless draw in Ljubljana, a solid if unspectacular opening that gave supporters little to go on.
His first home night turned after 11 minutes. Defender Jack Hendry was sent off, and Scotland faced almost the entire match with ten men against eleven.
Ricardo Rodriguez punished them fast. His free-kick beat goalkeeper Angus Gunn to put Switzerland ahead and silence the home crowd.
Scotland dug in. They stayed organised for the rest of the first half, chasing and closing in bursts to keep the deficit at one.
The pressure told after the break. Centre-back Nico Elvedi added a second, and striker Zeki Amdouni completed the scoring to seal a comfortable away win.
Pocognoli was reflective after full time. He said he hopes to "remember this night differently later on", a nod to a debut that gave him pain now and, he hopes, lessons for later.
The numbers show why frustration is building. Scotland have now gone eight home matches without a clean sheet. They have also failed to score in six of their nine games this year.
That is a difficult combination. It leaves little margin for error, especially on a night that starts with an early red card.
For fans, this means patience will be tested. A new coach, a long night short-handed and a sharp Swiss side added up to one of those evenings to get through rather than enjoy.
Next up is a trip to North Macedonia, followed by a home game against Slovenia. Pocognoli will want a response quickly, and Hampden at its loudest would help.
