On Sunday, Alexander Sørloth and Ståle Solbakken met with the press before Monday’s World Cup qualifying match against Estonia.
NRK asked Alexander Sørloth how he views the unity in the group:
– There has been too much camaraderie at times. We have enjoyed ourselves and perhaps had it too cozy. We have not set the tough demands that a football team should have. And I think we have got that in place now.
– Have you come to terms with the fact that it has been a bit too cozy, as you say?
Have you come to terms with the fact that it has been a little too cozy, as you say?
– Not a direct confrontation like that. It has actually happened quite naturally. Not something we have forced. It has happened in a natural way.
The answer comes after NRK spoke with former national team player, and father of Alexander, Gøran Sørloth.
FATHER AND SON: Alexander Sørloth and Gøran Sørloth.
He highlights how close-knit the national team now seems to be – something he believes his son should take much of the credit for.
The 62-year-old was a pillar of both Rosenborg and the national team for many years. He has seen how getting to know each other breeds success.
The atmosphere in the national team has changed, for the better, says Gøran Sørloth:
– Alexander is very proud of how it has turned out. It is a group that has been together for a long time, but it was perhaps a little too kind for a while. There was a little too much coziness. Now I notice that there is a very focused and goal-oriented group at the gathering. It suits everyone very well.
Breaks out laughing after question from journalist
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– No “idiots” in the squad
Alexander Sørloth was asked if they have taken any specific steps to change the culture in the group:
– It’s a bit about the types that are here now too. When we started under Ståle, we were a young and inexperienced team. There was a generational change when he came in. It can take a while for people to find their place in a group. We’ve been here for many years now and it’s natural that leaders within the group stand out. It’s happened naturally. And it’s very gratifying to see.
– Is it easier to speak up across the hierarchy now?
– Is it easier to speak up across the hierarchy now?
– Yes, I think so. It has been mentioned before, we have no “idiots” in the squad. It is very rare in football, actually. That means no one gets hurt, or no one takes it personally, says the 29-year-old and continues:
– There are demands, not so much demands on technical details, but more on giving effort. And especially defensively, that everyone has to do a job there. If you get pulled off, a friend comes and takes over that race, says the Atletico Madrid striker.
TO BECOME A FATHER OF TWO: Alexander Sørloth and his girlfriend Lena Selnes are expecting a new child. Here after the match against Italy.
He says that there was a change in the Nations League, where they met the teams Serbia, Slovenia and Sweden and beat the latter at Ullevaal.
– We had been struggling for a while and felt that we could catch up and win against those who were equally good, says Sørloth.
He believes that experiences from the fall of 2024 helped to further strengthen the group.
– And then certainly the perhaps decisive factor was that we won the Nations League last year. Then we finally had a bit of momentum. And that feeling we hadn’t had in a hundred years, it felt like. So it was very good for the whole group, says the striker.
He is probably referring to when Austria stumbled against Slovenia and drew, which meant that Norway became group winners in the Nations League and advanced to level A.
– It spread a sense of self-confidence. You got the feeling that it wasn’t just a matter of resistance, and we could celebrate and rejoice together. That’s very important for a group, says Sørloth.
National team manager Ståle Solbakken does not agree that things have been “too cozy” on the national team earlier in his tenure.
– It’s never been like that for me. I’ve seriously never noticed or heard of that, he tells VG.
– Sørloth says there are no idiots in the squad and has there been a better culture for speaking up?
– Sørloth says there are no idiots in the squad and has there been a better culture for speaking up?
– There have never been any idiots as long as I’ve been here, says Solbakken.
– We are favorites
Norway has 9 points after three matches and is on a solid course towards the 2026 World Cup, as group leader. Earlier on Sunday, Italy fired coach Luciano Spalletti. He will lead his country for the last time against Moldova on Monday night.
Alexander Sørloth admits that Norway is now the favorite to win the group.
– Right now we are, he says.
You need javascript to play the audio clip “The Road to the World Cup: After Italy”.
Gøran Sørloth says he already saw during the warm-up that the players were in the right mood before the big match against Italy.
– Many people asked me for a prediction in advance, but I didn’t want to say anything. Just before the game, I still said to my dear wife, “I think it’ll be 3-0,” so I had a good feeling.
– And can the wife verify that this is true?
– And can the wife verify that this is true?
– Yes, she can verify that. I think that’s actually recorded, because it’s a documentary they’re making.
On Monday, Estonia awaits in Tallinn at 8:45 p.m. You can listen to that match on NRK Sport.