Norway's coach, Stale Solbakken, stresses the importance of focusing on your team's performance, rather than the pressure of facing Brazil in the round of 16 of the World Cup.
Stale Solbakken urged his team to play the game, not the circumstances, in their World Cup match against Brazil at New York New Jersey Stadium. This will be Norway's second elimination match at the World Cup, having only played two elimination matches in its entire history at major tournaments prior to this event in North America. Facing them will be a nation, Brazil, who have progressed through nine of their last ten matches in the World Cup knockout stages, failing only in 1990 when they were defeated 1-0 by Argentina. However, Norway go into the match with confidence, having beaten Ivory Coast 2-1 for their first World Cup knockout win, thanks to Erling Haaland's decisive goal in the 86th minute. "We have to play the game, not the circumstances. We have to make sure we don't play based on the occasion, but simply play the game," Solbakken said. The manager highlighted Haaland's importance to his team should they have a chance against Brazil, with the Manchester City striker having scored five goals in the tournament. Haaland could become just the eighth European player to score in each of his first four World Cup appearances, the first since Christian Vieri for Italy in 1998. He has scored in each of his last 13 competitive international matches, netting 25 goals in this period. "I think we have found ways to support him and give him the right supplies," added the Norwegian coach. "We are a team that cannot wait for Brazil because we are an attacking team. During the 90 or 120 minutes against Brazil, you have to defend for more or less long periods, and we have to be at our best there." As well as highlighting Haaland's importance, Solbakken also showed concern over Brazil's attacking threats, particularly Vinicius Junior. The player has scored four goals and one assist in four matches in this World Cup. "The right and left backs are important, but it's also about helping the flanks so that they are not tackled in one-on-one situations, situations where you have to deal with them alone," Solbakken added on how to stop Real Madrid's talent. “We also hope that our zonal style of play can help, so regardless of who plays in the defensive positions, they will be supported by the next player.” However, Brazil average 15 shots per game at the World Cup (60 shots in four games), their second lowest figure ever recorded in a World Cup (after 1966), only ahead of 1998 (14.4). However, their xG per shot is the highest ever recorded in this period (0.16), suggesting that the average quality of their chances is superior. This will be the fifth meeting between the two nations in all competitions and the second at the World Cup, following Norway's 2-1 victory in 1998. Solbakken is optimistic his team can repeat the feat, but only if they are at their best. “I don't think they're big, big favorites, like maybe they were a few years ago,” Solbakken said. "We've had a very good run for a long time and we have great confidence, as well as a good style of playing with the ball, and I think that helps us. "I think it's difficult to give an exact percentage [on our chances], whether it's 60-40, or 70-30 or whatever – the important thing is that we can hurt Brazil on our day, but we still have to be our best, otherwise we have no chance. But if we are at our best, then we have a chance.
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