Solbakken: Morocco's speed exposed Norway's need for better counter-defense

Following Norway's 1-1 draw with Morocco, national team coach Ståle Solbakken highlighted the opponent's impressive speed during counter-attacks. "We noticed that we are facing a team that – when they run – sometimes sprints away from us," Solbakken stated during a press conference in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Solbakken described the match as a valuable learning experience, particularly after the initial 15 minutes where his team felt a bit shocked. He acknowledged Morocco as a formidable opponent, potentially one of the top two teams in Africa, capable of beating anyone. "We have some periods, especially in the first half, where we have poor positioning, which should be easy to correct. Then we have some sloppy mistakes," he added.

Despite the concerns about counter-attacks, Solbakken emphasized that Morocco did not create chances that suggested they should have scored more than one goal. He stressed the importance of maintaining balance between offensive capabilities and defensive solidity. "The identity of this team is about the balance between the offensive weapons and at the same time tightening up defensively," he explained.

Players also shared their observations. Antonio Nusa told TV 2 that after an initial shock in the first 15 minutes, the team recovered and played much better for the remainder of the game. Alexander Sørloth described it as a good test, acknowledging Morocco's strength as a counter-attacking team, but noted that Norway tightened up after halftime.

With one week remaining until their opening World Cup match, the Norwegian squad is engaged in intensive training sessions. Solbakken is demanding tempo and speed from his players, focusing on improving their ability to transition quickly and maintain defensive discipline during offensive plays.