Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld believes his side are better, more creative and more attacking than four years ago when they stunned eventual World Cup winners Spain.
Hitzfeld, the 65-year- old former coach of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, begins his Group E campaign against Ecuador today before his side face France and Honduras.
The veteran boss believes a place in the last 16 is within his team’s grasp, which would compensate for a first round exit in South Africa in 2010 despite their famous 1-0 win over the Spaniards.
“My dream is to get to the second round and then we can dream of going further,” said Hitzfeld yesterday.
The German, who retires after this World Cup, has blended the battle-hardened troops of 2010 with an exciting crop of youngsters such as Haris Seferovic, Granit Xhaka and Pajtim Kasami as well as the highly regarded Xherdan Shaqiri.
“We started a transition four years ago, we have rejuvenated the group of experienced players,” said Hitzfeld.
“The team are better, more attacking, more creative with better organisation than we were in 2010. Switzerland are well-organised and capable of quickly switching from defence to attack. The players are tense but we have the experience to counter that.”
Despite his confidence, Hitzfeld is wary of the challenges posed by an Ecuador team that didn’t qualify in 2010 and whose best performance was a run to the last 16 in Germany in 2006.
He said: “They have some good players, their strength is the counter-attack.
“Every team has its strengths and weaknesses and Ecuador will have analysed ours.”
LIKELY LINE-UPS
Switzerland (4-2-3-1): Benaglio; Lichtsteiner, Djourou, Schar, Rodriguez; Inler, Xhaka; Shaqiri, Mehmedi, Stocker; Drmic.
Ecuador (4-4-2): Dominguez; Paredes, Erazo, Guagua, Ayovi; Valencia, Castillo, Naboa, Montero; Valencia, Caicedo
Stadium: Estádio Nacional de Brasilia, Brasília
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (uZB)
Kick-off: Tonight (20:00)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Switzerland- Xherdan Shaqiri
The Bayern Munich playmaker is the orchestrator in Switzerland’s attacking threat. He is an exciting prospect who could light up this tournament. Ecuador must be wary of his talent.
Ecuador- Antonio Valencia
Ecuador will be relying heavily on the Manchester United winger who is always a nightmare for any full back to handle. The muscular Ecuador captain got sent off when they faced England in a friendly recently. His country will be hoping he stays calm tonight and provides the ammunition for Caicedo.
SPORT 360° PREDICTION
The Swiss are solid with a sprinkling of quality. Ecuador know the conditions but can’t offer the same class of players. 1-0 to the Swiss.
