Norway football manager Solbakken warns of tough Nations League start

Norway national football team manager Ståle Solbakken has issued a warning ahead of the team’s upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign. Following a successful World Cup run, Solbakken cautioned against complacency, noting that the upcoming match against Denmark at Ullevaal Stadion will be a “even and tough fight” due to the high caliber of Danish players currently competing in top European leagues.

The Nations League schedule includes home matches against Denmark and Portugal, as well as away fixtures against Wales and Portugal. Solbakken emphasized that while Norway has seen an improvement in FIFA rankings, the team must remain focused as they face opponents ranked near or above them.

Key players Erling Braut Haaland and Martin Ødegaard are expected to return to the squad for this international break. Solbakken also addressed recent media criticism regarding player selection, dismissing certain critiques as “paper thin” and defending his preference for players competing at higher intensity levels.