Norway has provided an update on Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard's injury, suggesting he may be available for selection in both of Norway's fixtures this week. The update comes after Odegaard was injured during a match against Portugal on Sunday evening, where Portugal won 2-1. The injury occurred when Odegaard was tackled by Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva, which has sparked discussions about Silva's conduct.
The incident involving Silva and Odegaard has drawn attention, with Odegaard expressing discomfort and criticizing Silva's actions during the match. Odegaard told Norwegian TV2 that Silva's conduct was "inappropriate for professional football" and that he "completely lost control" when delivering a kick long after Odegaard had released the ball. This has set the stage for a potentially intense rematch between Norway and Portugal.
Norway will face Wales on Thursday before confronting Portugal once more on Sunday evening in Porto. Despite the injury, Norway team manager Brede Hangeland expressed optimism about Odegaard's availability for both matches. Hangeland reported that Odegaard showed considerable improvement compared to the previous day and that his participation in the upcoming matches is possible.
Odegaard's teammates have also weighed in on the incident, with some suggesting that they may seek revenge against Bernardo Silva. Patrick Berg told VG that he's looking forward to the match and that a player coming and kicking their captain could set things off. Meanwhile, Bologna defender Torbjørn Heggem stated that while the tackle was bad, a revenge tackle is rarely something you resort to.
The Norway team's manager, Brede Hangeland, provided further updates on Odegaard's condition, stating that he will participate in a quiet training session on Tuesday. Hangeland expressed hope that Odegaard's condition will improve dramatically before the upcoming matches. When asked if Odegaard could be involved in Thursday's and Sunday's games, Hangeland replied that it's possible.
The incident has sparked discussions about player conduct and sportsmanship in professional football. The upcoming matches will be closely watched, with many expecting a fiercely contested encounter between Norway and Portugal. Norway's players are eager to support their captain and respond to the incident.
The two teams have a history of competition, and the upcoming matches are expected to be intense. With Odegaard's potential return to the field and Norway's desire for revenge, the stage is set for an exciting and dramatic encounter between Norway and Portugal.
Key points
- Norway provides update on Martin Odegaard's injury, suggesting he may be available for selection in both of Norway's fixtures this week.
- Odegaard's teammates consider seeking revenge against Bernardo Silva for his tackle during their previous match.
- Norway will face Wales on Thursday before confronting Portugal once more on Sunday evening in Porto.
