Switzerland hope to continue their giant-killing tradition from the past four years when they take on France on Friday.
Ricardo Rodriguez and Stephan Lichtsteiner the starting full-backs in Switzerland s 2-1 victory over Ecuador on Sunday argued their team have the quality to hurt France in their second Group E fixture in Salvador.
Since Ottmar Hitzfeld led Switzerland to a 1-0 triumph over Spain in their opening game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the Swiss have developed a reputation for reserving their top performances for when they face the very top teams.
While Switzerland have drawn 4-4 with Iceland at home, lost 2-0 to Wales and managed just a scoreless draw away to Malta in the past four years, they have also defeated Germany 5-3 and stunned Brazil 1-0.
Rodriguez said Hitzfeld s side find another gear when they play world football s traditional powerhouses.
They have an outstanding team with very strong players but I think we have a chance, the Wolfsburg defender said on Tuesday.
Usually we play quite well against strong opponents. I hope that we can play like we did in the second half against Ecuador. And still we can all improve ourselves.
Obviously it s not going to be easy against France but I am excited to play against them. But we know it s going to be really tough.
Rodriguez set up Switzerland s two goals in their victory over Ecuador with Admir Mehmedi heading one of the 21-year-old s corners into the net, before Haris Seferovic scored the winner in second-half stoppage time.
The win took Switzerland alongside France on three points at the top of the Group E standings.
Our team is in great shape, Rodriguez said.
We have a great spirit, everybody wants to win, everybody has fun; and we are all ready for the next match.
Lichtsteiner, who started at right-back against Ecuador, agreed the match against France will be tough for Switzerland but argued the French would also need to work hard.
It will be a difficult game against a hard team with players that won t be easy to play against but it is the same for France, the Juventus man said.
