Slovenia bank on 'greater fighting spirit' in 'second-place decider'

The result of Tuesday's visit to Hampden Park will probably decide second place in Nations League group B1, Slovenia assistant head coach Milivoje Novakovic believes, and he hopes his side's "greater fighting spirit" will win the day against Scotland.

Sebastien Pocognoli's hosts sit third behind the Slovenians on goal difference, with Switzerland five points ahead after winning all three of their games.

"Switzerland is the favorite of this group, but they needed a lot of luck to score the two goals they scored against us," former Cologne striker Novakovic said of his side's 2-1 defeat in Luzern on Saturday.

"We are very satisfied with our work, but we still need some time. With time, we will achieve consistency."

Novakovic pointed to a late chance of an equaliser missed by striker Zan Celar against the Swiss that might "even involved us in the fight for the top of the group".

"We have a new match on Tuesday, which will probably decide second place," he said.

"If we look at where our players play and theirs, the difference is clear. The Scots play in very good clubs, so I say that we are not the favorites.

"But they do not have the atmosphere that has adorned Slovenia for several years - desire, fighting spirit, attitude towards the jersey."

Fellow assistant Aleksandar Radosavljevic wants Slovenia to repeat their first-half performance in the goalless home draw with Scotland, their second half against the Swiss and the 90 minutes that produced a win over North Macedonia, while also being more clinical with the chances they are creating.