PREVIEW: Switzerland v Ecuador
Both Switzerland and Ecuador head into their opening fixture of the World Cup in two different directions. The Swiss, doing so well in qualifying and winning their group, stunned many by being selected into pot one for the group stage draw. They are talented, with some excellent young players, but so many feel their easy qualifying campaign was not taken with a grain of salt.
Ecuador come with just one question; can they replicate their home form in World Cup qualifying in Brazil? Ecuador as undefeated in CONMEBOL, but that is largely due to the altitude Quito which only they are accustomed. That advantage is negated in Brazil, so they will have to dig deep and find their form away from the environment in which they are so comfortable.
Renato Ibarra (left) is one of so many Ecuadorian players with bags of pace and energy that can catch their opponents napping. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Can Switzerland prove their doubters wrong and play to the levels they feel they are capable? Will Ecuador’s energy and pace come to the fore regardless of their altitude advantage being a non-factor now? While not many are talking about this match, this will prove to be a tightly contested affair. Here is our preview and predictions.
"Projected Starting XI’sSwitzerland: Yann Sommer; Ricardo Rodriguez, Fabian Schar, Johan Djourou, Stephan Lichtsteiner; Valon Behrami, Gokhan Inler, Blerim Dzemaili; Tranquillo Barnetta, Josip Drmic, Xherdan ShaqiriEcuador: Maximo Banguera; Walter Ayovi, Frickson Erazo, Jorge Guagua, Juan Carlos Paredes; Jefferson Montero, Carlos Gruezo, Christian Noboa, Antonio Valencia; Enner Valencia, Felipe Caicedo"
Key’s for Switzerland
– They must, must, must keep their shape for the entire match. They have a lot of players that do like to get forward, but in doing so, they must be disciplined as well. Ecuador has too much pace to be allowed to rampage in space left behind.
– They have to find a way to keep Josip Drmic supplied with service. He has shown in his young career already that he’s a very good finisher, and he’ll only need one chance to put Switzerland on the scoresheet.
– Conservation of energy will be vital for their midfielders. They will not be used to the heat and humidity in Brazil, but Ecuador are. If they tired out too soon, they run the risk of letting Ecuador run rampant over them.
Key’s for Ecuador
– In the same fashion that they played against England in the pre-World Cup friendly, Ecuador must utilize their ridiculous amount of energy and pace to press the Swiss, force turnovers and quickly counter.
– Both Enner Valencia and Felipe Caicedo are strong in the air. When Ecuador get behind the Swiss defense, they must make sure that their service into the box is solid, as it will be their best chances to score.
– Do not allow Shaqiri, Barnetta or Stocker to be left unmarked. All three of the Swiss wingers have the quality to find Drmic, or have a run at goal themselves. They have plenty of offensive weapons that must all be monitored throughout.
Key Battles
– Gokhan Inler v Carlos Gruezo – Inler is vastly experienced and a fantastic box to box player, while Gruezo is similar in style but far less experienced and much younger. Gruezo’s energy could find Inler out, and control of the midfield and the energy provided from it will be massive for either side.
– Felipe Caicedo and Enner Valencia v Johan Djourou and Fabian Schar – The pair of Ecuadorian attackers are strong in the air, but so are their counterparts in defense. We saw from Ecuador against England ho much they like to pump balls into the box, and it’ll be up to the Swiss center-backs to deal with them as they are so capable.
– Stephan Lichtsteiner v Jefferson Montero – Lichsteiner is vastly experienced and an excellent man marker, but he lacks pace and likes to get forward. Montero has plenty of pace to burn, is tricky on the ball and very direct. Lichtsteiner will have to manage his forward runs well if he wants to keep Montero quiet
Michael Arroyo (left) is one of many players Ecuador can call off the bench to add even more energy and pace late on in the match, and it should prove to be telling. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
"Staff score predictionsDrew: As much as it would be nice to see the Swiss prove their doubters wrong, they are certainly going to struggle in the heat, especially with all their warm-up matches taking place in Switzerland. They are fit but they lack the same pace and energy that Ecuador have. As long as the South Americans take their chances well, they should do fine. 2-1 Ecuador.Young: The Swiss are not man enough to handle the Ecuadorians in the South American heat that is expected. Ecuador’s tireless work ethic and pace will prove to be the keys to victory for them, putting them on course to get out of this tricky group. 2-0 Ecuador.Charles: I will go the opposite from both Young and Drew and say 2-0 Switzerland. Despite their pace, energy and being accustomed to the heat, Ecuador has far more deficiencies in defense than the Swiss do, and the European side has the quality to exploit that."