The former Rossoneri and Norwegian international: “With Bodo against the Nerazzurri it was like a derby for me. I have wonderful memories of Milan and I’m still a fan”
He remained linked to Milan even though he played only one season, 2020-21. Jens Petter Hauge continues to follow the Rossoneri’s results, supports them and was disappointed by their failure to qualify for the Champions League on the last day against Cagliari. Now he is at the World Cup and watched Norway’s success against Iraq from the bench, in the first match of the group. However, he always wants to talk about Italy and the Devil. “Better in English – he said smiling in the mixed zone of the Boston Stadium – because I’ve forgotten Italian and I haven’t spoken it for a while”.
Hauge, what memories do you have of our football?
“Beautiful. I spent a super season, in a very competitive championship. It was an important experience for me: from a human point of view it made me grow a lot, but also from a professional point of view, I think I learned many things.”
He was in Milan who would win the scudetto the following year with Ibrahimovic still a player.
“Ibra was a great footballer, a true leader. I tried to learn as much as possible from him and the other great players who were with me. I remained very attached to Milan: I love the club and the fans, simply incredible. I’m still a Milan fan.”
The Rossoneri’s last season did not end well. Why?
“I followed it and I’m sorry to see Milan out of the Champions League again. Due to its history and its prestige, it is a club that must be in the Champions League and must fight for the scudetto every year. The last day was a joke because qualification for the Champions League was within reach, but Milan will start again.”
You have come a long way with Bodo in the Champions League. Would you like to face Milan in the Champions League, let’s say in two seasons?
“I would really like to return to the Rossoneri San Siro for the Champions League. It would be nice for me and I think also for the AC Milan fans. I returned to San Siro to challenge Inter in recent months and we had a great joy. Going through to the next round against the future Italian champions was truly a satisfaction.”
For you it was… a derby?
“A little bit yes (laughs, ed) and I was happy that we won.”
Isn’t the World Cup the same without Italy?
“The World Cup is and will always be a great competition and for us Norwegians it is extraordinary to be here after so many years of essence. I wish Italy not to be without it for so long (Norway waited 28 years, ed) because your football is beautiful, even if it is going through a period of decline. You will make it and you will qualify for the World Cup in the next edition.”
If he played in Serie A, how many goals would Haaland score?
“Many, many because he is strong. Someone like that is difficult for anyone to stop: he has physique, hunger and a sense of goal. Italian football is tactical, difficult, but great attackers always find a way to make the difference.”
How important was it for Norway to start the World Cup with such a clear victory against Iraq?
“It was very important. In a World Cup, goal difference can count for a lot, so winning 4-1 in the first match is a strong signal for us. It wasn’t an easy match, but we did well to stay in the match and bring it to our side.”
From the outside, 4-1 may seem like a “comfortable” victory. Was it really like that?
“No, I wouldn’t say so. It was a difficult match, especially in some moments. Iraq played with intensity, they created problems for us and after the 1-1 draw the match became complicated. In a World Cup there are no easy matches: you have to know how to manage even the ‘dirty’ moments, suffer and then take advantage of the opportunities when they arrive.”
What did you think when Iraq equalized?
“That we had to stay calm. In matches like these, it can happen that you concede a goal, but the fundamental thing is the reaction. We continued to play, we immediately regained the advantage and from there we controlled the pace.”
Did the team feel the pressure of returning to the World Cup after 28 years?
“Yes, there was a bit of pressure. It’s normal. Everyone was waiting for this match, everyone wanted to see how we would start. But it’s also a positive pressure: it means that there is enthusiasm around the group. We’ve waited a long time for this moment and we wanted to start well.”
How much do the group’s prospects change after this victory?
“It’s only the first match. Naturally, three points and four goals scored are an important basis, but we can’t think we’ve already done something. We have very difficult tasks ahead of us. We need to regain energy, analyze what didn’t work and prepare for the next one.”
What message does this success send to the World Cup?
“That Norway is there. But we have to remain humble. We won well, but we know that we can do better in many things. The World Cup needs continuity: one match is not enough, we need to confirm ourselves immediately.”
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