GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – NOVEMBER 19: Stale Solbakken, Head Coach of Norway, reacts prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between Scotland and Norway at Hampden Park on November 19, 2023 in Glasgow, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Norway coach Stale Solbakken admits he was ‘a bit surprised’ by two of the choices Italy coach Luciano Spalletti made for tonight’s 2026 World Cup qualifier.
It kicks off at the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT, 20.45 CET).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.
The Azzurri are in Group I along with Norway, Moldova, Estonia and Israel.
While this is the first match for the Nazionale, Norway have already played and won two games to top the group.
Norway can run away with World Cup group
“It’s important to get three points for both teams,” Solbakken told RAI Sport in Oslo.
“It will probably be a tight game, we meet a very good side with a great coach. We look forward to it, but know it is going to be very difficult.”
Italy are missing several key players, especially in defence and attack, but the Norway manager admits there was one big decision that did surprise him.
“Maybe they are struggling with alternatives, but the starting XI is strong. We were a little bit surprised with Zappacosta on the right wing-back and Coppola in defence, but other than that it was the team we expected.
“Of the starting XI, nine of those are accustomed to playing together, so it is not going to be a problem for them.”
Zappacosta is a regular for Atalanta in Serie A and the Coppa Campioni, but has not played for Italy since a Nations League match against Poland in September 2018.
That is a gap of almost seven years for the veteran, who turns 33 next week.
As for Diego Coppola, he is making his senior international debut after a strong season at Hellas Verona.
Image:Getty
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