That’s the question that worries every England fan, and Thomas Tuchel.
How on earth can we stop Erling Haaland?
The Norwegian striker scored seven goals in the tournament, helping them defeat five-time champions Brazil in a double in the final round. Norway are the dark horses of the tournament, awaiting England in the quarter-finals in Miami on Saturday.
Manchester City goal machine Haaland is well known to England fans as he is the most dangerous striker in the Premier League.
While Martin Odegaard captained Arsenal to Premier League glory, there are other Premier League players to watch at Staale Solbakken. Sander Berge, Oscar Bobb and another hero of Brazil’s victory, keeper Orjan Hyland, are free agents (but may not stay for long) who played for Reading, Norwich, Aston Villa and Bournemouth.
Norway are 19th in the FIFA rankings and England are 4th, but few expected them to beat Brazil in the final match. They are a very dangerous opponent and England will rely on their team of analysts, scouts and Tuchel and his coaching staff to come up with another master plan.
England manager Tuchel has already defeated the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mexico in knockouts, and showed his true potential in the second half 45 minutes against Croatia. But thanks to Haaland, Odegaard and others, they face new challenges in Norway.
Norway has many familiar faces in the Premier League
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So who is the best person to ask how to defeat them? He is an experienced and highly regarded Premier League scout who has worked for big clubs and also defended the signing of one of the most expensive players in football history.
Mirror Football’s Secret Scout also compiles reports on opponents and we asked him for his expert analysis, views and special report on Norway’s dramatic win over Brazil.
Our chief football writer, John Cross, asked him to provide a report. It’s an interesting insight and inside tracker into the team England will face on Saturday.
Norwegian reconnaissance report
story of shapes
Norway played 4-3-3 in possession. Flat back 4. A player with staying power in the midfield. Stop by and pick up Sander Verge.
Brazil didn’t press too high, so Berge was allowed to play the ball wide or over the line. They played with two other midfield players, of whom Martin Odegaard became the spark of creativity.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard will be a spark of creativity for Norway (Image: Soccrates Images, Getty Images)
The three in front kept their shape. Haaland passing through the middle with two wide players. At half-time they dropped both wide players (Alexander Soros and Antonio Nusa), brought on Oskar Bobb (plays on the right and is right-footed), and Andreas Schjelderup (left-footed from the right) provided both assists.
They quickly revert to a 4-5-1 defensive shape. If there is a need to attack for a long time, Haaland remains the focal point. They are a tall team so set pieces will be important to defend.
Go big or go home?
Dan Byrne was great in his cameo off the bench against Mexico (Image: Getty Images)
I was thinking: Will Tuchel target big Dan Byrne to mark Haaland? Probably not, but it’s worth considering. Haaland will be hoping to outdo Ezri Konsa in a direct physical confrontation.
If you get tight, he will roll you over or rotate you to the side. When you move away, he turns and attacks the space. It’s important for England to keep the ball, dominate possession and not let him get into the game.
The cross that comes in the box is his bread and butter. This is why Dan Byrne and the despised Harry Maguire are better equipped than the current two centre-backs, Konsa and Marc Guehi.
Our two centre-backs are good for pace and movement, but they are not dominant centre-backs when crosses come into the box. Big Dan will be able to play man-to-man in the corner against the tank-like Haaland.
keep the ball and continue
England are hoping to make first contact with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. All in all, if England can hold onto the ball like they did against Mexico until the first water break, they should have a chance.
Both of Norway’s centre-backs looked vulnerable when up against pace and clever movement. So that’s Haaland and the infantry in this story. Shut up Haaland and take care of the infantry.
I don’t think they’ll stop Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. Additionally, Anthony Gordon has stepped up as well.
verdict
England need players who can wear the so-called big boy pants. It’s a mental issue. Elliott Anderson and Declan Rice are far better than any midfielder. I’m very confident that I have the right coach, especially now. England will win.
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