Norway's coach Stale Solbakken expressed his respect for Carlo Ancelotti ahead of their World Cup round-of-16 match against Brazil on Sunday. Solbakken denied any disrespect after a locker room speech where he declared, "Ancelotti, we are coming for you!" Norway aims to maintain their unbeaten record against Brazil, having never lost in four previous meetings.
Norway's Unbeaten Streak Against Brazil
Norway heads into this crucial match with a proud history against the five-time World Cup champions. Their last victory against Brazil was during the group stage of the 1998 World Cup in France. Solbakken acknowledged this historical context while emphasizing that the upcoming knockout game is a different challenge.
“We can beat Brazil if we're at 100%, otherwise we don't have a chance,” he stated. Norway's confidence stems from their recent performances, including a dramatic 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast in the round of 32, sealed by Erling Haaland's late goal.
Solbakken's Praise for Ancelotti
In his comments, Solbakken praised Ancelotti as one of the greatest coaches in European football history. “It was only to praise him because he is one of the greatest coaches in European football,” Solbakken said. He highlighted Ancelotti's impressive track record, including winning five Champions League titles.
