Franco-Swiss treat awaits the footballing connoisseur

Veteran coach Ottmar Hitzfeld predicted a match for the footballing connoisseur to savour when his Switzerland team take on neighbours France at the World Cup on Friday despite past evidence to the contrary.

>>Reuters
Published : 20 June 2014, 05:50 PM
Updated : 20 June 2014, 05:50 PM

"France are a neighbour and so it's a derby for us and therefore important to deliver a good performance," he said of the clash at the Fonte Nova arena between two teams who last Sunday made winning starts in Group E.

"But if we are to stand a chance against France we have to exceed our own limits.

"France have displayed great performances in their last games, they've played with a lot of self confidence. They seem to have found themselves. They are very flexible and can switch their game around. They have been working like a machine.

"That means for us, we'll have to impose our philosophy on the game - aggressive attacking, changing defence into attack - and then I think we'll have a chance."

The last three head-to-head clashes have ended in draws and yielded a paltry two goals in the process.

Hitzfeld continued at Thursday's pre-match press conference to laud the qualities of his Group E opponents, prompting a reporter to ask whether he and his French counterpart Didier Deschamps were playing a hand of poker.

"No, I guess both coaches have a lot of respect for the opposing team. Both teams have earned that respect."

The Swiss grabbed a stoppage time 2-1 triumph over Ecuador in their opening game in Brasilia that has come as a major morale boost and given the squad added energy.

"We pushed forward, putting our defence at risk, but had the belief we could win. This liberated energy I hope to see tomorrow as well.

"I think we'll be better in this match, more settled and controlled," Hitzfeld predicted.