Odegaard: “Haaland is the best in the world, but we know how to function as a team”

“Real Madrid is the club with the most pressure; I learned and matured”

MADRID, 14 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The captain of the Norwegian national team, Martin Odegaard, explained that they are confident in their chances of beating Spain this Sunday in Oslo and maintaining their goal of qualifying for Euro 2024, counting on “the best in the world”, striker Erling Haaland and Furthermore, a group that knows how to “function as a team.”

“It will always be special to play against Spain. The most important thing for me is this Sunday’s game, the chances of qualifying, how to beat Spain,” said the midfielder at the press conference prior to the crucial Group A duel. .

Spain has in its power to qualify mathematically while Norway wants to extend the fight, third in the group with two points. Odegaard recalled without resentment his start at Real Madrid, where he did not end up finding a place. “I have learned, I have matured in Madrid, but having minutes was important, I am happy with the decision I made to leave,” he said.

“It was a very good period where I learned a lot, I grew as a person, which was necessary to reach the level I have today,” he added about his time in Spain, also at Real Sociedad, while acknowledging the extra pressure at home. white. “It was noticeable, there is more pressure than in other clubs, it is the club with the most pressure of all,” he said.

On the other hand, Odegaard was asked about his and Haaland’s role as leaders of their team. “Norway is not just Odegaard and Haaland, we know how to function as a team. Haaland is the best in the world but we both have to help the rest of the team to achieve something,” he said.

Furthermore, the Norwegian captain regretted the “mistakes” of the first matches, against Scotland and Georgia, but insisted that they will improve the “chances” of qualifying. “We learned that we can play, we can touch, make Spain run, if we are at our best. Also, that the slightest mistake on our part penalizes us a lot,” he added about the first leg against Spain in March at La Rosaleda in Malaga.