Solbakken met the press on Thursday before the private international match against the Czech Republic at the Ullevaal stadium. There he was asked whether Drillo, who is now on the road to recovery after a heart operation, deserves to have a statue of him erected outside the Ullevaal stadium.
– I vote for that. I think the NFF should take the initiative to do so. I think it has been up for discussion several times, so it’s more about getting the shovel in the ground. It is a cultural heritage in both football and society in general, Solbakken replied.
However, large parts of the press conference were about Erling Braut Haaland. He appeared at his first press conference in a year and a half only a few minutes before Solbakken entered the room.
– I think it is good for everyone that he ran today. He has a pressure on him around the clock, and then it has become what it has become, said Solbakken.
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When asked by NTB, Haaland joked that Guardiola would come after those who did not return to Manchester healthy and fast. Solbakken continued on that note when he was asked if he felt confident that Haaland would make it through the national team meeting in one piece.
– We haven’t heard a word. We keep the dialogue there clear. I’ve been in his (Guardiola’s) hands before, and then I was the one who won, grinned the national team boss.
Norway failed to qualify for this summer’s football European Championships in Germany. An ill-fated home loss to Scotland last June was largely to blame.
Friday’s match against the Czech Republic will be played at 18:00 at the Ullevaal stadium. Next Tuesday, Slovakia awaits at 7 p.m.