Ancelotti's Brazil Prepares for Haaland and Norway Clash

Carlo Ancelotti has seen enough of Erling Haaland to know one thing: you don’t stop him with a whiteboard gimmick.

On Sunday at MetLife Stadium, Brazil’s pursuit of a sixth World Cup will run straight into Norway and their Manchester City powerhouse. The narrative almost writes itself – Haaland against the famous yellow shirt, Brazil’s centre-backs against the most feared finisher in the game. Ancelotti is having none of that simplification.

“I don’t think that there is such a thing as an ‘anti-Haaland’ plan,” the Brazil coach said, cutting off the idea before it could gather steam. “I don’t need to tell my players how to defend, they have faced each other a few times.”

Brazil arrive in East Rutherford with momentum and a few scars. They topped Group C, then had to dig deep to survive Japan in the last 32, coming from behind and only settling it with a stoppage-time winner from Gabriel Martinelli. That kind of escape can rattle a team. It can also harden it.

“Our team is in an optimal condition. However, we need to continue improving,” Ancelotti warned, mindful that Japan exposed flaws as well as resilience.

The Italian’s message ahead of Norway is clear: respect the structure, not just the superstar.

“Everyone knows how he (Haaland) works. I have nothing to explain to my defenders how to play against him,” he said. “They have obviously played against him several times, so we are only focused on being well prepared for the match, understanding the basic characteristics of the opponent and we know that they are very dangerous offensively.

“Norway is a challenging team, a team that has structure, has very good organisation, so we have to play at our best level, but I think we are at a time when we can play at our best level, because we are confident and have come out of a challenging last match against Japan.”

That confidence will be tested without Lucas Paqueta. The midfielder, a key link between Brazil’s deeper build-up and their forward line, suffered a hamstring injury against Japan and is ruled out. His absence strips some craft from the middle of the pitch and forces Ancelotti into a rethink in the engine room.

There is better news higher up the field. Barcelona winger Raphinha, sidelined by a thigh problem, could return to the squad and restore some of the width and direct running Brazil lacked in phases of their last outing. If he is passed fit, Brazil regain a weapon that can stretch Norway’s compact defensive block.

On the other side, Stale Solbakken is fighting the same battle against the Haaland-only storyline.

“Brazil has one of the best pairs of defenders in this tournament, two players who are at a top-notch international level,” the Norway coach said, acknowledging the formidable partnership of Gabriel and Marquinhos. “There will be some tough duels between them and Erling, but it is more Brazil versus Norway for me.”

He knows the global focus will zoom in on those collisions: Haaland backing in, Gabriel stepping tight, Marquinhos sweeping behind. Solbakken’s job is to make sure Norway are more than a one-man show when the lights go up in New Jersey.

“Brazil are favourites, of course they are, but we are hopeful that we will give them a match – and we must be at our very, very best, otherwise we don’t have a chance,” he admitted, framing the task with the bluntness of a coach who understands the margin for error.

Norway’s own injury concerns are easing. Dortmund full-back Julian Ryerson, forced off with a thigh issue in their second Group I game against Senegal, is expected to be available, a significant boost on the flanks both defensively and in transition. Defender Holmgren Pedersen, meanwhile, is being monitored after suffering from “coughing and rasping”, a reminder that at this stage of a tournament, even minor physical issues can tilt a selection call.

The prize on offer is enormous. The winner will move into the quarter-finals to face either England or co-hosts Mexico, a bracket that will only intensify the spotlight on every tactical decision and every duel.

For now, though, the picture is simple. Brazil, armed with history and heavy expectation, against a Norway side drilled, organised and fronted by a striker who can rip up any script in a heartbeat.

Ancelotti refuses to write a plan around just one man. Solbakken insists his team are more than their star. On Sunday, under the lights at MetLife, the truth of both claims will be laid bare.