If there was one overriding criticism levelled at Scotland following a 5-1 defeat to Germany it was their passivity.

Steve Clarke’s side came up against potential tournament winners at the Allianz Arena but watching on, you couldn’t help feel the blend of a high line, lack of pressure on the ball and inability to retain possession created the perfect environment for Julian Nagelsmann’s team to perform.

Wednesday night’s meeting against Switzerland had to be different on a points and performance basis, and so it proved. According to Wyscout the Swiss narrowly shaded the xG 1.46 to 1.25 during a close encounter. However, if any side looked most likely to find a winner as time pressed on, following goals from Scott McTominay and Xherdan Shaqiri before the interval, it was Scotland.

While Clarke only made two changes to his starting 11 there were several key differences in approach for the meeting in Cologne.

In possession, reinstating Billy Gilmour at the base of midfield alongside Callum McGregor only made his absence on matchday one all the more confusing. Scotland’s best ball retainer, understandably, went some way to improving the patterns and poise in possession. Clarke pushed Anthony Ralston into a right-wing position as his side built play in a 4-2-1-3 shape. Jack Hendry shifted to right-back while Gilmour and McGregor acted as the double pivot to funnel possession forwards.

(Image: Wyscout)

Looking at where Gilmour received the ball, his influence at the base of midfield is obvious. Either helping Scotland to pass their way up the pitch or receiving in tight positions to trigger the Swiss press before a direct pass from the defence.

(Image: Wyscout)

A lot of what the midfielder does can look simple but it's taking the ball under pressure that creates space elsewhere.

Up top, Ralston often became the outball on the right-wing close to Che Adams who, after an isolated outing in Munich, was far busier with bodies around him. John McGinn kept the Swiss defence deep by pushing high on the left-wing while Scott McTominay was on hand to become an extra option or win second balls. It meant that, if Scotland were unable to play through the press, there were viable pressure valves higher up the pitch.

(Image: Wyscout)

(Image: Wyscout)

This afforded Clarke and his team more control of the game and ensured that, unlike in their previous outing, any spell of Swiss pressure was not relentless because of the options to get forward. Here’s an example in GIF format of one foray forward the preceded the game's opening goal.

McTominay has the ball in a precarious area but the Swiss numbers committed forward present space to run into - as Scotland would exploit for the game’s opening goal. He finds Gilmour whose neat lay-off catalyses a spell of passes in the middle including McGregor's clever backwards pass, freeing Robertson to motor forwards.

Although the move leading to McTominay’s opener arrived following a corner there were similar themes on show. Notice Gilmour’s composure to lift the ball into the path of Robertson instead of clearing possession. It was the restoration of this confidence on the ball that changed Scotland’s fortunes.

McTominay’s seven goals in qualifying was a Europe-wide best. Fabian Schar’s deflection was responsible for the 27-year-old finding the net, but the origin of the goal was a sequence synonymous with Clarke’s Scotland. A driving run on the left, an overlap or underlap to enter the final third and a cutback to the edge of the box for McTominay, as the opposition defence recovers towards their goal.

(Image: Wyscout)

The plan wasn’t perfect and Ralston’s crucial mistake leading to the equaliser was far from an isolated incident. Switzerland waited to press Scotland on the right-hand side and with the right-back rarely opening his body to look up the line, he was often trapped infield or forced backwards. Look at this example before half-time, rather than pivoting to find a pass in behind the defender simply goes back to his keeper.

(Image: Wyscout)

(Image: Wyscout)

(Image: Wyscout)

That theory stands up when looking at how Shaqiri's goal came about. Despite a forward pass looking like a better option, the right-back's tendency to go backwards proved costly.

When Scotland did lose the ball they rarely fell back to defend their box. There was far more intent to force Switzerland backwards despite the large spaces Kieran Tierney and Hendry were forced to defend, often in a man-for-man fashion.

What changed? Scotland were happy to take risks. Whether that was leaving the back three-man-for-man or gambling to discount a free Swiss player on the opposite side of the pitch from possession being held. They never allowed Murat Yakin's side to settle on the ball. Their pressure orientated around the ball leaving space elsewhere and that approach worked.

Take this example. Switzerland play backwards from a throw-in but rather than sitting in shape, Scotland pushed up at any given opportunity to force a turnover. McTominay presses Xhaka and continues his run to pressure Akanaji. Scotland can lock Switzerland into one half ot the pitch, leaving the opposite side of the park free, to crowd the ball and regain possession. With centre-back Hendry winning the ball by the touchline and Ralston offering extra support close by. 

That's shown well by the lack of influence Xhaka enjoyed. Against Hungary, the midfielder completed 77 passes... 

(Image: Wyscout)

..but in Cologne, that number fell to 43 as Scotland successfully kept the ball away from their defensive third for much of the match.


(Image: Wyscout)

Scotland will need to go up levels again to beat Hungary, but this performance with far more intent on the ball and aggression off it was a big step forwards.