Erling Haaland from Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund is currently on the road with the Norwegian national team. The BVB attacker is not available for interviews with his compatriots during this time. National coach Stale Solbakken now explains why. He cannot understand the burgeoning criticism of the approach.
Erling Haaland only wants to let actions speak for themselves on the football pitch. With his Norwegians, who missed out on qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar, the exceptional talent from Dortmund is playing two friendly international matches. In the most recent win against Slovakia (2-0), the BVB star scored the lead with his 13th goal for the national team. More goals against Armenia are expected to follow on Tuesday (7:00 p.m.).
Those statements on the pitch should remain the only ones, Haaland is currently not giving any interviews. Because the 21-year-old should be clear: Even at home, his possible departure from Borussia Dortmund would be the number one topic of conversation.
His national coach Stale Solbakken has now defended his striker’s wish to be sealed off from the press at “Eurosport Norway”. It is “unfair” if you try to “find a mistake” in it, said the former coach of 1. FC Köln. “Right now he’s the most wanted player in the world with Mbappé. He’s the one everyone will be writing about when it comes to his next steps.”
Norway coach also defends Haaland’s arrival in a private jet
Solbakken revealed that Haaland himself approached him with the request. “He has told me that he would like to be shielded during these internationals.” The center forward explained this in a “convincing way”.
Last but not least, Haaland’s journey to the national team in a private jet caused an uproar in the Norwegian press landscape. In this regard, too, his national coach jumped to his side.
“He could have gotten up at 5 a.m. in Germany and taken the first scheduled flight, but then he would have had to wait two hours at an airport,” said Solbakken. “If he had taken the next flight, he would have arrived five or six hours after the others.” Thanks to the arrival in a private jet, Haaland arrived “rested”. The goal against Slovakia probably proves the BVB star right.