'We are not Germany': Ecuador coach urges caution ahead of Curacao match

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ecuador/8tbm8Tri/"]Ecuador[/a], beaten 1-0 by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ivory-coast/G2FRjBgn/"]Ivory Coast[/a] in ‌their opener despite long spells of dominance, saw their ‌19-match unbeaten run end and are now under ‌pressure to take points before facing Group E rivals [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/germany/ptQide1O/"]Germany[/a].[/p][p][b]"First, we're not Germany. Second, as we've done over these ‌years, we always have respect for ⁠the opponent," Beccacece ‌told reporters. "Matches are played on the pitch."[/b][/p][p]He said his squad ​were fully fit and clear about their task, and warned them to stay alert ​despite [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/curacao/bLLGpOkQ/"]Curacao[/a]'s - the smallest nation ever to reach the tournament - heavy defeat in their debut.[/p][p][b]"We have to ⁠go with an ​idea that is already established, to know in which moments we have to take control, look for spaces that allow us more time to make ‌decisions," the 45-year-old Argentine coach said.[/b][/p][p][b]"We have to be very alert to avoid certain transitions and stay very attentive."[/b][/p][image alt="Ecuador - Curacao win probability" id="75bc9d35-3cd3-4885-9d5e-4c39fdfff8ac" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="565fef2e-4796-4c33-8440-00d18d8f7e2d" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]Midfielder Alan Franco said Ecuador had moved on from their opening defeat and were mentally strong ahead of their last two group-stage matches.[/p][p]He added that while the South American side had analysed Curacao, they would prioritise their own game.[/p][p][b]"We ‌study our opponents, we know what Curacao are ​and what they can do, but the focus ‌is on what we can do and what we can improve," the 27-year-old player said. "Beyond what Curacao bring, the focus is on us."[/b][/p][p]Ecuador and Curacao meet on Saturday in Kansas City, ⁠while Germany take ⁠on Ivory Coast earlier ‌in the day in Toronto.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/curacao-bLLGpOkQ/ecuador-8tbm8Tri/?mid=p2XLmuKP"]Follow the game with Flashscore.[/a][/p]