Solbakken defends resting Haaland vs France: 'no-brainer'
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- Stale Solbakken rested 10 first-team players including Erling Haaland for Norway's 4-1 loss to France, calling it a "no-brainer" after medical tests showed five or six squad members were severely fatigued following the Senegal match.
- The defeat left Norway as Group I runners-up, setting up a round of 32 tie against Ivory Coast on Tuesday.
- Fans at Foxborough chanted "We want Haaland" after missing the head-to-head between the Manchester City forward and Kylian Mbappé.
- Solbakken said Norway's entire defense and some midfielders were "very affected" after 80 minutes against Senegal, noting his squad had the shortest recovery window of any team in the group.
- Solbakken said the call was unanimous among the physio, medical staff, and players themselves, and that Haaland and Martin Ødegaard are "team players" prioritizing Norway's tournament longevity over individual showcase moments.
Why it matters: Solbakken absorbed a 4-1 group-stage loss to World Cup favorites France — and a fan rebellion demanding Haaland — in exchange for a medical-backed bet that his rested starters will be sharper for a winnable round of 32 tie against Ivory Coast on Tuesday, the kind of game Norway needs to win to justify the rotation gamble.
