Fredrik Aursnes, Benfica midfielder, made a severe self-criticism after the Nations League match with Wales (1-2 defeat), in which he started but came off at half-time, after having misplaced a pass that led to Wales’ first goal.

In Norway, however, the debate is extensive regarding the Benfica player, given that many question his compatibility with Sander Berge and Martin Odegaard in midfield. “If that is a problem, I don’t really know,” he explained to TV2, which asked the player about the possibility of them being too similar in some aspects, such as the desire to have the ball.

“Yes, maybe. We are three players who like to have the ball and maybe, in my case, I like to drop a little deeper. It didn’t work very well, at least for me, in the first half. We have to work on it and see what we can do better. If that is a problem, I don’t really know,” he reinforced.

Aursnes remains positive about a solution for Stale Solbakken’s team, but acknowledges difficulties: “I think so. We are all good footballers, so we should have resolved the situation better. Especially as far as I am concerned. I think the two [Berge and Odegaard] command quite well and are very involved, but I could never fully get into the game.”

Finally, the misplaced pass that cost the 0-1: “It’s my fault. I received the ball and maybe I should have stayed facing forward instead of making a support pass. It was intercepted and then led to a goal, it is my responsibility, at this level you are punished and so it is my fault.”