Odegaard backing Norway to avenge Wales defeat

What the report says

Martin Odegaard says Norway are ready to put aside disruption from heavy snow and try to respond to last month’s 2-1 loss to Wales when the sides meet again in Oslo on Saturday in Nations League Group A4. The Arsenal midfielder, who captains both club and country, said the weather-affected schedule was far from ideal, but insisted Norway must adapt and focus on improving after a defeat he described as below their usual level.

BBC Sport reports that Norway trained indoors on Thursday because snow covered the pitch at Ullevaal Stadion, before returning outside once it had been cleared on Friday. The match carries added importance for both teams: they are level on points and still have a route to finishing behind Portugal, but are also trying to avoid slipping toward relegation from the top tier of the competition. Wales’ win in Cardiff was Norway’s only loss in that earlier meeting, and coach Stale Solbakken has also highlighted how poor his side were in that game.

Solbakken said Norway must be more intense and less passive if they are to improve, while also acknowledging Wales’ strengths in attack and on the wings. The game, scheduled for 17:00 GMT at Ullevaal Stadion, is seen as a key test for both sides as they look to end the campaign strongly.