Switzerland vs Ecuador preview - Hitzfeld expects the right attitude

Posted Sunday, June 15, 2014 by PA

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has warned his side against complacency as they prepare to start their World Cup campaign in Group E against Ecuador in Brasilia on Sunday.

Veteran Hitzfeld has overseen a remarkable resurgence for his side, who qualified for the finals without losing a game and have been defeated just twice in 18 games over the last two years.

Switzerland's serene progress towards Brazil is in stark contrast to their opponents, who squeezed into the final South American qualifying spot and have been hit by the loss of Segundo Castillo due to injury.

And despite his unstinting conviction that his young side has it in them to go as far as the quarter-finals, Hitzfeld has acknowledged they must avoid suffering a slip-up in their Sunday opener.

Hitzfeld said: "It is a new start and everyone starts at zero. We need a good performance against Ecuador, who are very well organised and have outstanding strikers.

"The group stage is the biggest hurdle. I have said before that I want to make history in Brazil, and I was referring to reaching the quarter-finals."

Meanwhile Hitzfeld has urged his players not to hamper their opportunity to progress by picking up cards or incurring suspensions that could cost them if they head deeper into the tournament.

He added: "I will insist the team does not complain and do not make unnecessary fouls and do not get provoked."

Despite their far from seamless qualification process, Ecuador will take some comfort from a 2-2 draw with England in their final warm-up game.

But injury issues are not far away with Dynamo Moscow midfielder Christian Noboa the latest to be rendered a doubt for the Switzerland opener as he struggles to recover from a muscle complaint.

Coach Reinaldo Rueda said: "It is difficult because both these men, Noboa and Castillo, have been at the top for us for some years.

"It is very hard to replace two such experienced men. We will be cautious with Christian and we will make a late assessment to see if he is able ot play against Switzerland."