Norway captain Martin Odegaard is targeting redemption against Wales this Saturday as his team fights to keep its slim Nations League quarter-final hopes alive.
Sitting at the bottom of Group A4, the squad must secure a victory in Oslo to avenge a previous defeat in Cardiff, “a 2-1 victory for the Dragons at the Cardiff City Stadium” in October.
The Scandinavians have struggled recently, suffering three consecutive defeats in their current campaign.
Arsenal playmaker Odegaard remains determined to improve the team’s performance in front of their home supporters, noting that “our level was not where it should be” during their previous meeting.
He added that the team is ready to show a different version of their capabilities, according to the original source.
Head coach Stale Solbakken anticipates a tactical battle as both sides chase three points to preserve their tournament ambitions, “it is like a boxing match, going head-to-head, fist-to-fist”, as reported by the outlets.
Solbakken noted that Wales has shown great progress under coach Craig Bellamy, particularly with their attacking speed on the wings.
Norway faces a significant defensive challenge, having failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 12 matches.
This defensive streak marks their longest drought since the early 1980s.
Additionally, the team has conceded at least twice in five straight games, representing their worst sequence since 1976.
Despite these struggles, the squad is focused on avoiding a fourth consecutive loss, a feat they have not experienced since October 2016.
The upcoming match at Ullevaal Stadium serves as a pivotal moment for the hosts as they look to turn their campaign around.
With both teams needing a win, the atmosphere in Oslo is expected to be intense as they compete for a spot in the quarter-finals.