Norway National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Norway relies on a vertical and direct style of play, employing a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to defend deep and then strike with speed, using the pace of the wide players to catch opponents out. The team looks to win the ball and move forward quickly rather than recycling possession for long periods.

Thorstvedt acts as the goalkeeper, commanding his area from the back. The defense uses a back three where Mykland sits in the middle to sweep behind the line, while Svenssen and Bratseth operate as the wide center backs to cover the channels. Berg and Riise play as attacking wing backs, tasked with providing width and pushing high up the pitch during the attacking phase. These wing backs must track back quickly to prevent being caught on the break. The central defenders need to be dominant in the air to defend set pieces and clear the lines when the pressure builds.

In the center of the pitch, the team uses a double pivot consisting of Kvammen and Lund. These two players must work to compress the midfield and deny the turn of any opposition attacking midfielders. Kvammen works to connect the defensive and attacking lines, often dropping deep to receive the ball and move it forward. Lund is tasked to win the second ball and protect the space in front of the defense. This midfield pairing is essential for keeping the team compact when they sit deep in a mid block.

The attacking unit features three players positioned high up the pitch. Haaland functions as a central striker, using his immense strength and clinical movement to pin the last defender. He often holds up the ball to allow others to join the attack. G.Thoresen and Brustad act as wide wingers, with G.Thoresen looking to spread wide and pull the opposition defenders apart. Brustad tends to cut inside to find space in the channels. The goal is to create runs in behind or allow the wing backs to overlap the winger to deliver crosses into the box.

A primary strength of this Norway lineup is the ability to create wide overloads. When Berg and Riise push high, they create extra numbers on the flanks, forcing the opposition to defend deep. Another advantage is the speed of transition, allowing the team to hit in behind on the transition using the directness of the forwards. This formation makes it very difficult for opponents to maintain a high line without being punished.

This 5-2-3 formation provides a solid base for a team that wants to counter at pace. It is ideally suited for facing possession based teams that leave space in behind their defensive line.