Scotland draw 0-0 with Slovenia in Pocognoli's first match

Scotland's first match under Sebastien Pocognoli ended in a goalless draw with Slovenia in Ljubljana, and the chances that went begging will sit at the centre of it. The game finished 0-0 at the Stozice Stadium in the Nations League Group B1 opener, with Jan Oblak making five saves to keep Scotland out.

McBurnie and Bowie's missed openings

Oliver McBurnie was back in the international picture for the first time in five years and won his 17th cap, but his return was marked by a wasted chance. He had three shots and only one on target, and in the 50th minute he took a pass from Ure, drove into the Slovenia box and tried to round Oblak before being dispossessed.

Jan Oblak also denied Kieron Bowie when the substitute came on in the 67th minute and later missed the target with only the goalkeeper to beat. Bowie finished with three shots and two on target, and Scotland were left with a point after an attack-minded setup that also handed debuts to Steven Welsh and Robbie Ure.

Pocognoli's start and the shape of the draw

Pocognoli's first game in charge brought one point and a clean sheet, but Scotland still leave Ljubljana with the sense that the better openings were theirs. Ure's low drive from 20 yards beat Oblak and struck the outside of a post before half-time, which was the kind of chance Scotland needed to turn into a first win for the new head coach.

The next league game in Group B1 will come with the same basic question hanging over Scotland's attack, because the structure was good enough to create chances and not good enough to finish them. Slovenia vs Scotland ended with the goalless draw, and Pocognoli's debut is already defined by the missed chances around Oblak.