Disappointing, too bad, downright horrible to watch – VG

This is a comment. The comment expresses the attitude of the writer.

The road to the World Cup is getting long now, it’s just realizing. And from the way Norway appeared against Turkey in Malaga on Saturday night, the nation’s soccer masters have nothing to do there either.

Much, much, must happen in a short time now. Because this was not only disappointing, it was surprisingly weak at times. In maturity, intelligence, and execution of a matchmaking plan, these were seniors versus juniors.

It seemed that the Norwegian players met yesterday for the first time.

I have written about Norway’s defensive / defensive problems since Brede Hangeland joined the national team in 2014. And now Hangeland has joined the Ståle Solbakken support apparatus, precisely to put the defensive part of the game in order.

At the moment, it is time for the rapids. Two pairs of midfielders have been tested in two games, neither of which, neither individually nor in pairs, has convinced.

But it is useless to try in the Norwegian central defense, or to defend the goal, if you do not do your job. At 1-0 for Turkey after just four minutes, the players did not follow through, neither Stian Gregersen nor Mohamed Elyounoussi sensed the danger quickly enough – and the Turks were able to make it 1-0 – without pressure.

The 0-2 was even worse: 28 minutes, corner for Turkey. Leicester’s stopper Söyüncü was surrounded by five players in a red suit, but no one caught the Turk, who was able to enter and double the lead in the open.

And several times the defenders were on their heels, Kristoffer Ajer was not comfortable, and neither was full-back Julian Ryerson. Maybe 3-5 should be tried soon, with an extra plug, as no national team coach finds the boss behind it, or a pair of plugs that work.

But it wasn’t just where it failed. Norway hardly created anything. When you have two big points, both good in the air and on the field, where were the posts?

Now, it must be said that a lot went to Norway as well. Alexander Sørloth had one on the net, canceled, and another on the post. The last came two minutes before Turkey scored second. Random? Maybe. And Norway could be quickly reduced by Mohamed Elyounoussi just before the break, but that opportunity was burned too.

And when it was 3-0, on a good long shot, Fredrik Midtsjø didn’t come up well enough on Ozan Tufan.

It ended with the expulsion of substitute Kristian Thorstvedt, completing a completely black night for Norwegian football.

Patrick Berg is a good soccer player. But he’s used to having players (Ulrik Saltnes for example) who start the inside runner movement as soon as Berg has the ball. Norway does not play with inside runners. You saw Berg missed the moves, but he was still among the best.

The lack of Sander Berge as a unifying force in the middle is enormous.

Martin Ødegaard, never managed to dominate the game as he could. He was quite weak and did not go on like a captain should. Erling Braut Haaland: where was the brutality? Did you stay in Dortmund?

So we could continue: the Norwegian stars, the ones who MUST keep going, have not directly impressed in the first two games.

This was a big step back from last fall with Lars Lagerbäck, when it was very positive after all. Ståle Solbakken has previously said that WC 2022 may come too early for this team, that it is EC 2024 that is the real goal.

The coach of the national team has, in any case, a great job ahead of him. If it was an interesting qualifying match, then Montenegro MUST be defeated on Tuesday, and Norway must avoid losses in both matches against the Netherlands.

At the moment, Turkey is a clear favorite for a direct place in the World Cup.

Norway and Solbakken have been better so far than on the field. They have to start scoring, also on the field.

The jerseys do not provide space for the World Cup, only attention.