“Every Game Lives Its Own Life” — Solbakken Warns Norway Not To Get Carried Away
Ahead of the World Cup quarter-final, Solbakken called Kane and Bellingham England’s top performers and confirmed Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard are ready to lead Norway.
Norway fully fit for England clash as Solbakken lauds Kane, Bellingham and own stars...
Norway boss Stale Solbakken played down the idea that his squad’s Premier League experience gives them an edge over England in their World Cup quarter-final. He joked that England’s two biggest threats don’t even play in England.
Norway can call on Premier League stars like Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. But Solbakken pointed out that England’s leading scorers, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, actually play their club football in the Bundesliga and LaLiga.
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is chasing another World Cup Golden Boot after scoring six goals so far. Midfielder Jude Bellingham has also made his mark with four, including two in England’s 3-2 last-16 win over Mexico.
“I don't know if it's favourable. Some of the players have obviously played against many of the English players,” Solbakken told reporters on Wednesday.
“The two best English players may not be playing in the Premier League. They're playing in Spain and Germany, so you can also take it that way.”
Confidence Boost
Solbakken admitted that Norway’s shock win over Brazil in the last 16 to reach their first World Cup quarter-final has lifted morale, but urged his players not to get ahead of themselves.
“I think it gave (us) more confidence, but I think that... Every game lives its own life,” Solbakken said.
“I don't think that any other team we have met so far in this World Cup has underestimated us. Every team does their analysis, a lot of analysis, so there are no secrets. That goes for this game as well.”
Solbakken had mentioned earlier this week that a few players were feeling unwell, but he confirmed that the whole squad is now fit and available.
“It's right that Odegaard was sick. It's his uncle (Thomas) who is a physio, he is sick. It's not Martin,” he said.
“So everything is fine, every player is fine. There's no sickness among the players. There's been one or two in the staff.”
Haaland and Odegaard’s Leadership
The coach highlighted Haaland’s influence, calling him “a great leader on and off the pitch.” The striker is also in contention for the Golden Boot, sitting on seven goals - just one behind Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
“He's one of the boys. He has been together with these boys from under-16, 17 and 18,” the coach said.
“Many of them have been together their whole life, so they're really enjoying this journey as well.”
On Odegaard’s captaincy, Solbakken said the Arsenal midfielder carries even more responsibility for Norway than he does at club level.
“He perhaps has a little bit more free role in our team,” he explained.
“Maybe when he plays with Arsenal, he has equal players with the same experience with Declan Rice and (Martin) Zubimendi. They can share it a little bit. Obviously, we maybe put a little bit more on his shoulders.
“Together with Erling, he has been one of our best players for the long term and a great captain, also when times were a little bit tougher than it is now.”
No comments:
Leave comment here