Erling Haaland repaid the protection from international manager Stale Solbakken by scoring in Norway's clash against Portugal, after being withdrawn from media duties. The striker found the net for the third time this international break in a 2-1 defeat.
Media duties withdrawn amid City verdict
Haaland was due to take part in a pre-match press conference on Saturday, but in light of City's reported guilty verdict on breaches of Premier League financial rules, he was stepped down. The 26-year-old was still named in the starting XI for the match against Portugal.
The defeat means Norway sit in second place behind Portugal in Group D of the Nations League.
Goal not enough in Portugal loss
The 26-year-old bundled home after an initial free-kick was pushed away by Diogo Costa, drawing Norway level following Joao Felix's opener. However, the equaliser barely had time to sink in before Goncalo Ramos fired in a winner just three minutes later.
Solbakken explains decision
Solbakken's strategy paid off in one sense, as he was determined to keep his talisman's mind on football rather than the storm surrounding City's guilty verdict, reports the Manchester Evening News. The Norway boss noted that former City midfielder Rodri's press conference, held as he prepared to face England with Spain, had been completely overshadowed by questions about the verdict and potential punishments.
Solbakken said: "We naturally want him to focus and have the best possible conditions to prepare.
"As everyone knows, there have been external discussions in the past day, but that has nothing to do with the UEFA Nations League or what we'll do next.
"Rodri's press conference yesterday is a perfect example; it wasn't about the UEFA Nations League either.
"So I think Haaland should focus on his task now. His task is to score for Norway, and I think everyone agrees that's what matters most.
"That certainly needs to be considered (media access to Haaland). Making this decision now doesn't mean he won't attend future press conferences. It's just that right now, we've decided to arrange it this way.
"I think he can handle it [the noise surrounding his club while on international duty] well."
