Norway manager Stale Solbakken says Sunday’s match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford will not just be about whether Erling Haaland can get the better of Brazil’s formidable centre-back partnership of Gabriel and Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos.
“Brazil has one of the best pairs of defenders in this tournament, two players who are at a top-notch international level,” Solbakken said. “There will be some tough duels between them and Erling, but it is more Brazil versus Norway for me.”
Solbakken added: “Brazil are favourites, of course they are, but we are hopeful that we will give them a match – and we must be at our very, very best, otherwise we don’t have a chance.”
Solbakken expects Dortmund full-back Julian Ryerson to be available after a thigh injury forced him off during their second Group I game against Senegal, while defender Holmgren Pedersen is being monitored after some “coughing and rasping”.
