Before the New Year, Ståle Solbakken was worried about Alexander Sørloth. Last jubilant season with 20 La Liga goals at Atletico Madrid was followed by a season start with a bench life with Diego Simeone. For Norway, it was important Sørloth also got enough 90-minute games in his legs before the World Cup in the summer. The 30-year-old was heavily linked with exit Atletico. Then Simeone realized he needed his Norwegian Viking on the field. On Tuesday, Sørloth hammered in three goals and sent Atletico Madrid through in the Champions League.
We first rewind to Saturday, when Sørloth again took the lead role with two goals in the 4-2 win against Espanyol. Forgotten was a period of goal drought and criticism earlier this season. Now Sørloth is referred to as the king of the air, and one of the crucial pieces in Diego Simeone’s attacking line at Atletico. Cadera Ser used comparison with Luis Suarez himself to illustrate the goalscoring flair Sørloth has had in the minutes on the match arena. “Sørloth surpasses Luis Suarez’s goal record at Atetlico Madrid,” with 36 goals in fewer minutes than the Uruguayan striker legend.
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Three days later, Sørloth did not settle for two goals. Against Club Brugge in the Champions League, the Norwegian international striker scored 3 goals and won 4-1 for Atletico Madrid. With 7-4 in two games, the La Liga club is through to the last eight of the CL – much thanks to Sørloth.
Sørloth himself takes this as a “normal day at work” where his teammates facilitated that it was also a good day at work.
“It’s been an incredible game. We were right to continue to press offensively. My teammates made good passes to me, and I really just had to finish. We managed to dominate,” Sørloth said, according to Marca.
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When it became clear that Norway would face France in the World Cup, French national team coach Didier Deschamp stated when asked about Haaland: “… but they also have Sørloth, he is good.” Deschamps has figured it out, Alexander Sørloth is on his way to playing his way up as our new superstar. We love it!
