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Seleção manager Carlo Ancelotti has made it clear that Brazil will not adopt a specific “anti-Erling Haaland plan” when they take on Norway in their FIFA World Cup last-16 match, even as they aim to neutralise the Manchester City striker and progress to the quarter-finals.

After finishing at the top of Group C, Brazil came from behind to defeat Japan in their round-of-32 encounter, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring a decisive stoppage-time winner.

Next up for Ancelotti’s side is another major challenge — a clash against Norway at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday. The victor will go on to face either England or co-hosts Mexico in the quarter-finals.

Ancelotti emphasised that his players must concentrate on curbing Norway’s collective threat rather than focusing solely on how Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães plans to contain Haaland’s attacking prowess.

“I don’t believe in an ‘anti-Haaland’ plan,” Ancelotti told reporters during a pre-match press conference. “My players already know how to defend; they’ve faced him multiple times before.”

He continued, “Our team is in excellent condition, but we still need to keep improving.”

Expanding on his approach, Ancelotti said, “Everyone understands how Haaland operates. I don’t need to explain to my defenders how to handle him. They’ve played against him several times already. Our focus is on being fully prepared and understanding the characteristics of our opponents. Norway are very strong in attack.”

“Norway are a disciplined team, well-structured and organised. We’ll have to perform at our highest level. Fortunately, we’re confident after coming through a tough test against Japan,” the Brazilian coach added.

Brazil will be missing midfielder Lucas Paquetá, who picked up a hamstring injury in the previous fixture against Japan. However, Barcelona forward Raphinha could return to the squad after recovering from a thigh issue.

Norway coach Ståle Solbakken also dismissed the narrative that Sunday’s match in East Rutherford will solely revolve around Haaland’s duel with Brazil’s central defensive pairing of Gabriel and Paris Saint-Germain’s Marquinhos.

“Brazil possess one of the best defensive pairings in this tournament, with two players of world-class calibre,” Solbakken commented. “There will certainly be some intense battles between them and Erling, but for me, it’s Brazil versus Norway as a whole.”

He added, “Of course, Brazil are the favourites, but we believe we can make it a real contest. We’ll need to be at our absolute best, otherwise we won’t stand a chance.”

Solbakken expects Borussia Dortmund full-back Julian Ryerson to be fit after a thigh injury forced him off during their second Group I fixture against Senegal. Defender Holmgren Pedersen continues to be monitored due to some respiratory discomfort described as ‘coughing and rasping’.