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Chile v Switzerland - Hitzfeld keeps Swiss feet on the ground
21/06/2010  by PA
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Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld is confident his players will not allow themselves to be carried away by their shock victory over European champions Spain.

The Swiss got their Group H campaign off to the best possible start when, against all odds, they defeated Vicente del Bosque's men 1-0 in Durban on Wednesday.

However, 61-year-old Hitzfeld is certain his players will not let that astonishing result go to their heads as they attempt to make the most of it by fighting their way into the last 16.

He said: "We have got a team which has a very strong character, and the players are very experienced.

"There are some young ones as well, but I think all the players realised just how sensational the win was, and they also know we cannot take it for granted that we will just simply blow away Chile.

"We know that is not possible, we know it is going to be a very hard game. I have read interviews given by the players and they are fully aware of that.

"Every single player knows Monday will require another top performance on our part and that we cannot take anything for granted.

"At a World Cup, many, many teams will go the extra mile and excel in what they do. That's the beauty of football, isn't it? There are always surprises."

That said, Switzerland head into Monday`s clash with Chile at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth knowing a repeat of that result would book their passage to the knockout phase of the competition.

Hitzfeld freely admits he and his players arrived in South Africa prepared to fight for second place, but their heroics in Durban mean they have the chance to go one better.

Asked if he would settle for a draw against the South Americans, he said: "I'm a coach and before every match, I want to win, it doesn't matter who our opponent is.

"Of course, against Spain, you can dream, and then the dream became a reality.

"Against Chile, we have got different aspirations because they are a direct competitor to us in securing second position.

"But now we have the opportunity to take first position, and we have to seize that chance with both hands."

Chile launched their campaign with a 1-0 win over Honduras in Nelspruit, but Hitzfeld has seen earlier evidence of the threat they pose.

He said: "I haven't just looked at the match against Honduras, I have also looked at how Chile performed in the South American qualifying group.

"They finished second to Brazil and with only one point fewer than Brazil."

The Swiss trained at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University this afternoon, where skipper Alex Frei was able to take part in the session after recovering from an ankle injury.

However, defender Philippe Senderos is expected to miss the next two games with a similar problem, and his place is likely to be taken by Steve von Bergen.

Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa has dismissed Switzerland counterpart Hitzfeld's claim his side head into the Group H clash as favourites.

While the Swiss may have pulled off the shock of the opening round of matches in defeating Spain, Bielsa is in no danger of underestimating them.

He said: "In this World Cup, if there is something that is not allowed, it is to believe you know who will win.

"Normally, there are no favourites in this competition, and even less so in this than any other World Cup.

"Let's not forget that Spain came to this World Cup as the best team in the world, and deservedly so.

"The Swiss victory was very valuable to them, and you should give credit to Switzerland for that rather than taking it away from Spain."

Switzerland turned in a determined defensive display to frustrate Spain, and then hit them with a Gelson Fernandes goal which proved enough to take all three points.

Bielsa admitted he did not know if Hitzfeld would adopt a similar approach on Monday, but said his team had to be prepared to deal with whatever is thrown at them.

He said: "Spain had perfect control of the ball, but they had problems attacking because the space was being closed down by Switzerland and their two defensive lines were very close to each other.

"Monday's match might not necessarily be the same. Switzerland has a record of more than just one match.

"They have played other matches with different tactical attitudes."

Real Zaragoza striker Humberto Suazo, who missed the Honduras game through injury, has resumed training and could be involved, although Bielsa admits he remains short of match fitness.

Midfielder Jorge Valdivia picked up a knock against the Central Americans but is hopeful of being fit.

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