If anyone knows what is to be nervous ahead of making your international bow, it is Sebastien Pocognoli. And with good reason.
The Scotland manager is preparing many of his players to take that first step in their careers in Ljubljana against Slovenia this afternoon, while even the experienced campaigners are stepping into the unknown a little as the Belgian looks to revamp the playing style of the national side.
For the likes of Robbie Ure, Luis Binks or Luke Graham, stomachs will no doubt be churning. Pocognoli admits candidly, that there is the odd flutter on his own part ahead of his first game in charge.
But he has been drawing on his Belgium debut back in 2008, a tough afternoon as he laboured to keep up with the reigning world champions, as a reference point for his players ahead of what is a huge personal occasion.
“[I played] Italy,” Pocognoli said.
“I played against Del Piero, so an easy start! I was nervous, but it was a little bit like the new generation was coming through, and we didn’t have that cohesion in that moment.
“I was quite isolated on the pitch and it was difficult. We lost, but that is something I can use to explain to the players, that we have new boys in the team but really good leaders, so I think they will take care of them.
“It’s the first game [for me too] and it’s a special moment for me and also for players in the squad playing for the first time. You will have the mental aspect of that.
“I hope we can manage that and I believe we can manage that. That’s why guys like Andy Robertson are very important along with other senior players.
“We have had a fantastic camp but I think the performance in the game will make the camp successful or maybe a learning moment. I hope we can win. It’s important to being that dynamic because in 10 days’ time the first camp is finished.
“It’s a big day. I’m going to represent Scotland and, for me, it’s massive. You’re representing the country. I know how big that is and I know how proud I am to do this.
“I need to stay aligned and to stay balanced. I need to keep the emotion on the side. But I’m very proud.
“I have come to your country and I just want to be successful. That’s the main topic for me.
“I hope we can stick with the plan that we have tried to create. They played very well in a [practice] game on Wednesday and they have done it already. But it’s still new. I don’t expect everything to be perfect, especially on the ball.
“But step by step we need to find the right balance, by being clinical and try to win the game because that is the most important thing.”
The last time Scotland came to the Stozice Stadium, it was the beginning of the end for one era in the national side’s history. Gordon Strachan’s side fought their way to a 2-2 draw, part of a six-match unbeaten run to end their quest to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. But ultimately, it wasn’t enough to secure a playoff spot.
Strachan infamously cited genetics as one of the main reasons why Scotland were continually falling short, and four days later, he had left his position by mutual consent.
Nine years later, this is now the site of a dawning of a new era, and hopefully, a successful one under Pocognoli. To add to the full circle feeling around the occasion, it just so happened that Strachan was enjoying a sunshine break in La Manga over the past week, where he visited Pocognoli and took in a training session, leaving suitably impressed by what he had seen.
What’s more, new Slovenia manager Bostjan Cesar not only played in that match back in 2017, but was also ordered off in added time. Captain Robertson is the only man who started for Scotland that is here this time around.
Pocognoli, of course, is not burdened by such scar tissue. And he hopes that the last few days in La Manga have similarly represented a fresh start for his players, and for the national side.
“I have quite a good feeling and I hope I’m in the right place at the right moment,” he said.
“I hope we are going to have a good time together. That’s the only thing that I hope for.
“My feeling is always positive. Even during negative moments I try to be positive because, from experience in my football career and also from my time in Union, we also had difficulties but we bounced back and we achieved great things.
“I know that ‘patience’ is a difficult word in modern football and I will try not to use it for too long. Hopefully we can see good things on the pitch straight from the start.
“We had four days where we tried to do everything we could in a creative way.
“We built good sessions and the team meetings were also like training sessions because they bring mental intensity. We had to find the right balance and make sure we didn’t overload the players.
“We gave them moments to breathe a little bit because at the end of the day it’s a human project. The players on the pitch need to feel well.
“We have taken a different approach, but I know how the players are feeling right now.
“I think the players are ready.”
