Haaland was highlighted in both the east and the west in all interviews at Friends Arena on Saturday. The Swedish national team manager Janne Andersson was asked at the press conference how good he thinks Haaland can be. Then he came with a clear message: – He does not have to get better than he is now. That holds for me, Andersson said with a smile. There is no doubt that the Swedes are full of respect for the Norwegian super striker. Sweden star Emil Forsberg is among those who fully praise Jærbuen before the neighbor duel. – Haaland’s statistics speak for themselves, he is a target machine. We must see it as a challenge to stop him. It will be “cool”, he said. Andersson confirms that Sweden has analyzed and discussed Haaland thoroughly before Sunday’s settlement. – It is clear that we always talk about the opponent. In certain phases he is very, very strong. We will talk further about it tonight, says the national team manager. MEET THE PRESS: Emil Forsberg and Janne Andersson. Photo: JESPER ZERMAN / BILDBYRÅN – Very impressed by Ødegaard To news, Andersson also points out that Norway has several players he can be impressed by, not just Haaland. – I am very impressed by Ødegaard. He must not get too much room to use his left foot, Andersson says to news, and also points out Sander Berge, Joshua King and Alexander Sørloth. Ståle Solbakken was also peppered with Haaland questions on Saturday. The Swedish press was asked by the Swedish press what it is like to be a coach for such a superstar. – It is probably easier for me to train him than it is for Norwegian journalists to relate to him. It will be a bit the same as it has been with Zlatan, how much should he sit here and talk to the media and what should he say about? Solbakken asks rhetorically. – We must have great respect for the fact that the interest around Erling is at a level we have probably never seen before in Norway around an athlete. Erling handles it well internally, and I think he handles it well externally. It is a situation that is difficult to understand. We must have respect for that, says Solbakken. EXCITED: Ståle Solbakken is looking forward to a tough match on Sunday. Photo: Fredrik Varfjell / NTB – A good tactical move A Swedish journalist made Solbakken aware that Lars Lagerbäck keeps Norway as favorites in Sunday’s match. Then the Norway boss smiled. – A good tactical move, says Solbakken. – No, we believe and hope it will be an even match. Both teams work hard, are well organized and have individualists who can accomplish things. If Lars means it, we take it as an acknowledgment, he adds. Swedish Olof Lundh asked Ødegaard about how Sweden striker Alexander Isak, with whom he played in Real Sociedad, stands up to Erling Braut Haaland. – I’m not a “fan” of comparing. They are not the same as player types either, so I see no reason to compare them, says Ødegaard. The match has not yet been sold out, and on Saturday news will be informed by the Swedish association that 35,000 tickets of a capacity of 50,000 have been sold so far. Many will probably buy a ticket on match day. Stop crisis The Swedes’ stop crisis has received a lot of attention before the match. It is easy to understand why: Pontus Jansson and Marcus Danielsson have joined the national team Filip Helander is long-term injured Victor Nilsson Lindelöf reported due to the collection with back injury Carl Starfelt had to leave with an injury in the away win against Slovenia on Thursday Alexander Milosevic, who came in for Starfelt, is now struggling with a swollen knee and is unsure of the match. National team manager Janne Andersson was therefore asked whether there is a curse on the Swedes’ stopping place. – I do not hope so, but I struggle to remember everyone who can not join. It is very strange that there can be so many dropouts in the same place, says Andersson. Ståle Solbakken does not think Norway will benefit so much from all the injuries. – I have trained many Swedish stoppers up through, and they always have good quality and good discipline. There they will probably be able to produce a good pair of stoppers. Swedish stoppers are very disciplined and historically very good, says Solbakken to news. Ekdal praises Haaland One who can get the chance is Djurgården player Hjalmar Ekdal (23). He is the little brother of more profiled Albin Ekdal and can make his national team debut in the Swedes’ central defense against Norway on Sunday night. He thinks even the chances have increased due to all the injuries. – It would be incredible, “huge”, it is an honor to play on the Swedish national team. If I get to do it against Norway in a rival settlement and maybe meet Haaland, then you will be put to the test immediately, says Ekdal. The 23-year-old is full of respect for the super striker who will play for Manchester City next season. – He is one of the world’s best strikers. Meeting him is not something you have to do so often during your career. I think all defenders in the whole world had seen this as a tough challenge, Ekdal believes. – Do you have any thoughts on how to stop him? – No, I do not know. We’ll take it if it becomes relevant. Krafth: – Such matches you live for The Swedish Newcastle player Emil Krafth is looking forward to Sunday’s neighbor duel against Norway. The Swedes, like Norway, got off to a good start in the National League with a 2-0 victory away against Slovenia. – I expect a tougher match on Sunday, Norway is a better team with better players. It will be a derby and can end in every way, says Krafth. He says the matches against Norway are always a highlight, and still remembers the two draws (1-1 and 3-3) from the last World Cup qualifier well. – These are the kind of matches you live for, but I think it is difficult to predict how it will go. There will be a position war out there, and I think the team that makes the fewest mistakes will win the match. – What do you see as Norway’s foremost forces? – It’s probably Haaland, I should say. A really good football player who can do things many others cannot do. A strong and fast player with good finishes. They have good players behind him as well, but if I have to highlight what Norway has, it is Haaland, says Krafth. – Then maybe it fits badly with stopper crisis? asks TV 2’s journalist. – Of course it’s tough when many players are gone. But I think those who come in and play will do just as well, says Krafth. – Norway has been without a championship for a long time. Is it the case that you hope Norway will soon qualify for a European Championship or World Cup, or do you prefer that the championship drought continues? – Good questions. It’s a bit of both, and both love and hate. It will certainly be very cool if they go to the championships, but of course I would rather we go further than them. But it is of course cool if they go to a championship soon, he says to news. Match start at Friends Arena is 20.45 Sunday night.
ttn-69
– It holds for me – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
