Norway manager Stale Solbakken revealed that resting star players Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard for the final World Cup group stage match against France was an easy decision, driven by medical assessments and recovery priorities.
Ousmane Dembele scored a hat-trick as a heavily rotated Norway side suffered a 4-1 defeat in Boston. Despite the loss, Norway had already secured qualification for the round of 32, finishing second in Group I, and will now face the Ivory Coast in the knockout stage.
Ten Changes Made Between Matches
Solbakken made ten changes from the team that beat Senegal 3-2, a match in which Haaland scored twice. Haaland, Norway's top goalscorer, and Odegaard, the captain, were among those rested. The decision was unanimous among the coaching staff, physios, and medical team.
“It was a no-brainer both on my part, the physio coach, the health and medical, and for some players themselves,” Solbakken explained. “They all said it would be difficult for many of them to play so soon after facing Senegal, and if some of the players who had played Senegal wouldn’t have been able to play and practice going forward, then the only consideration is taking fans in Norway and here into consideration.”
Recovery Time Limited to Three Days
Norway had only three rest days between the Senegal match and the France fixture. Solbakken noted that medical tests and samples indicated the players needed rest. “This decision was not one that took a lot of time for us to think over. The tests, the samples taken, it was the medicals. They decided to take them and they fed back to me,” he said.
The manager also considered using Haaland and Odegaard as second-half substitutes if Norway were in a position to challenge France. “It would have had to be after the last hydration break, if there were a situation where we might have reached our goal,” Solbakken added. However, Norway trailed 3-1 by that stage, and the pair remained on the bench.
Focus Shifts to Ivory Coast Clash
With the round of 32 match against the Ivory Coast approaching, Solbakken prioritized the long-term fitness of his key players. The decision to rest Haaland and Odegaard underscores Norway's strategic approach to the tournament, aiming to progress as far as possible.
