Stale Solbakken calls Brazil clash a ‘great honour’ after explaining Carlo Ancelotti comments

• Norway coach Stale Solbakken said his dressing-room comments about Carlo Ancelotti were intended as praise rather than disrespect.
• Solbakken believes Norway can upset Brazil if they produce their best performance in Sunday’s World Cup round-of-16 tie.
• The Norway boss confirmed his squad have also prepared for the possibility of a penalty shootout.

Norway coach Stale Solbakken said facing Carlo Ancelotti and Brazil in the World Cup round of 16 is a “great honour” as he clarified comments made after his side’s victory over Ivory Coast that appeared to challenge the Brazil manager.

Following Erling Haaland’s late winner in Norway’s 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, Solbakken was filmed telling his players: “Ancelotti, we are coming for you!”

Ahead of Sunday’s knockout clash in New Jersey, however, the Norway boss insisted the remark was intended as admiration for one of football’s most decorated managers.

“It was only to praise him because he is one of the greatest coaches in European football,” Solbakken said.

“He is maybe the greatest with five Champions Leagues and titles in different countries.”

“The way he treats opponents, the way he acts in football is something for everyone to look up to.”

“It’s also great for football that he goes into an international job with the biggest international team in world football.”

“It’s a great honour for us, but tomorrow we have to beat him and beat Brazil to stay in the competition.”

Norway enter the last-16 meeting with confidence after extending their unbeaten record against Brazil, having never lost in four previous meetings between the nations.

Despite that record, Solbakken acknowledged Brazil remain favourites to progress.

“We can beat Brazil if we’re at 100%, otherwise we don’t have a chance,” he said.

“Brazil is still the favourite, but I don’t think they’re the big favourites like in past years.”

“But yes, it would be a surprise if Norway was to win.”

Solbakken said Norway must focus on stopping Brazil collectively rather than concentrating solely on individual stars.

“Brazil have a lot of good players, we need to stop those individual players, but first of all we must stop Brazil as a team,” he said.

The Norway coach also reflected on his country’s famous victory over Brazil at the 1998 World Cup but warned that result carries little significance ahead of a knockout encounter.

“Our win in 1998 has meant a lot to Norwegian football for a long time,” Solbakken said.

“But we must remember that Brazil was already through and had nothing to play for.”

“But this is a knockout game and both teams need to win to go through.”

With several knockout matches already requiring extra time and penalty shootouts, Solbakken confirmed Norway have prepared for every scenario.

“We have prepared well for penalties,” he said.

“The players know who will shoot one, two, three, four and five. We have prepared well.”

Norway face Brazil on Sunday with a place in the World Cup quarterfinals at stake.