Erling Haaland go start Norway‘s World Cup Group I match against France for the substitutes’ bench, as coach Ståle Solbakken don plan to rest ten players from the starting lineup, sources tell ESPN.
Haaland absence from the starting XI go hurt im chances of winning the Golden Boot. The Manchester City striker dey tied on four goals with France star Kylian Mbappé, and one behind Argentina‘s Lionel Messi.
Both Norway and France don already secure qualification for the round of 32, after winning both of their opening group games. France dey top the group on goal difference, so a draw go ensure them a round-of-32 tie against a third-place qualifier for New Jersey next Tuesday.
But despite the need to win the game for Foxborough to top the group and avoid a round-of-32 clash against Ivory Coast for Dallas, and a potential round-of-16 encounter with Brazil for New Jersey, Solbakken dey plan wholesale changes to keep im players fresh and rested for the knockout stage.
Sources say Benfica midfielder Fredrik Aursnes be the only player to keep im starting spot from the 3-2 win against Senegal on Monday. The rest of the team dey changed.
France go play under assistant coach Guy Stephan, as head coach Didier Deschamps fly home to attend im mother’s funeral. France make four changes to their starting team.
Mbappé dey included for the starting lineup, alongside Ousmane Dembélé and other stars. Norway go field a mostly second-string side, with Jorgen Strand Larsen leading the attack.
Solbakken don talk say we mustn’t be the naïve nation wey no understand wetin we need for the knockout round. He say the round of 16 be the most important, so he dey evaluate wetin remedies to use.
Haaland himself don talk say he no care about the statistics, and he dey willing to do wetin dey best for the team. The match go be a big test for Norway’s depth, as them face a strong France side.
