Norway boss Solbakken warns of heavy toll on 'thoroughly spent' Haaland

Oct 5 : Norway striker Erling Haaland is showing signs of physical fatigue following a relentless run of matches for club and country, raising concerns over his punishing workload.

The 26-year-old Manchester City forward was substituted after 67 minutes as Norway lost 2-1 away to Portugal in Nations League Group A4 on Sunday.

Haaland was among several high-profile players who left the stadium straight after the match on a private jet to make the most of a brief holiday before returning to club duties.

"He was simply thoroughly spent," Norway manager Stale Solbakken said of Haaland's condition.

"Some of my players have only had six or seven days of holiday. And you do not live off your physical condition in a normal job. Then it is straight into the start of the season, followed by a mini-tournament, so it is an extreme strain."

"He’s in the group that carries the heaviest workload — precisely because his team (Manchester City) plays in every tournament and he’s the main man," Solbakken added.

Norway midfielder Patrick Berg echoed his manager's assessment, noting the physical toll on Haaland.

"He has played all three (Norway) games before this one, so it's not that shocking his strength finally ran out," Berg said.

Haaland has endured a gruelling schedule in recent months. Norway's run to the World Cup quarter-finals significantly cut short his off-season and he has since featured in every Premier League match for City, scoring five goals.

Haaland highlighted the relentless schedule on social media after a two-goal performance in the 3-2 Nations League win over Denmark last month, posting: "So tired. New match in 70 hours."

NORWEGIAN PLAYERS' UNION CONCERNED

Norwegian players' union NISO expressed concern over the escalating match