Haaland's limited minutes spark fitness debate ahead of World Cup

Concerns are surfacing regarding Erling Haaland's match fitness as Norway prepares for the World Cup opener against Iraq. The star striker has accumulated a mere 72 minutes of playing time over the last 29 days, with his recent performance against Morocco drawing particular scrutiny. NRK expert Carl-Erik Torp noted that Norway appeared to improve when Jørgen Strand Larsen replaced Haaland, suggesting a need for more dynamic play from the striker.

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We need a striker who runs a bit more than he did, and shows more willingness. But he took no risks. I expect a completely different Haaland when it gets serious.

However, many experts and former teammates remain confident in Haaland's ability to perform at the highest level. Tarik Elyounoussi, who scored 10 goals in 60 appearances for Norway, believes Haaland will be "razor sharp" for the tournament. Elyounoussi attributes Haaland's subdued play against Morocco to potential injury caution and a need to adjust to the time difference after arriving in the USA. He stresses the importance of mental balance and preparation, stating that football is largely a mental game.

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He will be razor sharp in this championship.

Former international striker Tore André Flo, who famously scored against Brazil in a previous World Cup, shares this optimism. Flo believes Haaland's team has everything under control and that the striker can score goals even with limited touches. He suggests that Haaland's quiet recent involvement is not a problem and that the player's experience will see him through. Flo also highlighted the importance of tactical adjustments and staying healthy as the tournament approaches.

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The most important thing is to be mentally balanced. That one has done their preparations. For me, football is 70-80 percent mental. Of course, you also need skills and a good body without injuries. But faith can move mountains.

National team coach Ståle Solbakken has implemented a special regimen for Haaland and Martin Ødegaard leading up to the World Cup. Haaland was notably absent from Manchester City's final league matches and did not play in the June 1st match against Sweden, indicating a deliberate strategy to manage his workload and ensure he is fully prepared for the World Cup campaign. This cautious approach aims to ensure Haaland is at his peak when it matters most.

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If anyone is good at that, it's him. We have seen so many times that Haaland is written off a bit, but suddenly he strikes back with a hat-trick. He knows this well himself, and has been around long enough to be experienced enough.