No team at this summer's World Cup has found the formula to stop Erling Haaland. The forward has scored seven goals in four games for Norway, including two against Brazil. Norway is playing in its first World Cup since 1998, and their striker delivers at every turn. Now they face England in the quarter-finals.
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Subscribe Sekarang →According to former Premier League goalkeeper Brad Friedel, the secret to stopping the forward lies elsewhere. Friedel believes keeping Martin Odegaard quiet is the key for the Three Lions. "You can’t just stop Erling Haaland – he doesn’t actually get that many touches in a game – it’s about limiting the service to him," Friedel said. He noted that allowing crosses from wingers makes Haaland nearly impossible to mark.
Friedel insisted that the main task is to starve the striker of the ball. "Martin Odegaard is the player in the Norway team that gets the most touches, so you have to limit Odegaard’s involvement," Friedel stated. However, he warned that Norway is not a one-dimensional side, pointing to the threat of Antonio Nusa and Oscar Bobb.
Odegaard controlled the tempo against Brazil, misplacing only one pass in the first half. Norway head coach Stale Solbakken praised his captain before the England match, calling him invaluable. Solbakken noted that Odegaard works the hardest, covers immense ground, and triggers their defensive transitions.
Norway faces its own challenge in stopping Jude Bellingham, who has excelled under Thomas Tuchel. Friedel compared the English midfielder to legendary figures. "In his movements, he reminds me of Zinedine Zidane," Friedel said. He added that Bellingham covers the pitch like Steven Gerrard and is on a trajectory to match the trophy hauls of Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes.