Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka says it's easier for Ireland if the opposition have the ball but stressed that his team have to be careful given what happened late in the game in Dublin.
The Arsenal player gave the slightest of smiles and raised an eyebrow when it was put to him that former Denmark goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel had described Ireland as "a bad team".
He didn't offer a firm rejection of this viewpoint but told RTÉ Sport's Tony O'Donoghue that Ireland had qualities and Switzerland needed to be careful.
"I watched the game against Georgia as well. I think for the Ireland team, it's easier if the opposition have the ball. But it's a different game, we know the qualities of Ireland. We saw that in Dublin so we have to be careful."
Switzerland succumbed to a late sucker punch in Copenhagen on Saturday, having largely controlled the encounter and forced a string of saves from Kasper Schmeichel.
Xhaka insists the Swiss are not fixated about their alarming tendency to concede late goals - all five goals they've conceded in this campaign have occurred from the 84th minute onwards - and says if they perform as they have been doing, the results will come.
"Very disappointed about the result of course. If you watch the game, I think we have a great game. If the other side had a different goalkeeper, I think the game would have been over. We have to accept the loss and have to keep working and look forward to the next game against Ireland.
"We've had very good performances, the result was not always positive. We have to work and stop little mistakes and we'll win.
"We don't speak about it. We know how much quality we have in our team. If we play the same game that like in Dublin, I will be happy. Of course, we have to win but the performance, we have to play the same game.
"We have to take nine points. First, it's tomorrow against Ireland and after we take the next steps."
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