THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

As Molde's players ended their pre-match dynamic warm-up session, they also returned to the dressing room to prepare for kick-off. Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did not even give his players a minute to dress before starting the game plan for the umpteenth time in the week.

"Listen, kids," he said, his eyebrows fused together. “If we hope to end our poor performances this season, we have to start with this game. If we manage to beat a team like Rosenborg, we will build an unstoppable momentum. We'll get that kind of confidence it can destroy our remaining opponents throughout the season."

"I know that we are at the bottom of the table. Most of you start to lose a bit of confidence because of that. But, please don't give up and play this game as if your life depended on it."

"Play smart," continued coach Molde, his tone somber. “Dan please stay focused and stay focused on the game for the full 90 minutes. If you do that, I can assure you, the boys, that we will emerge victorious with three points from this match. Are we on the same page, boys?"

"Yes, coach."

Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer nodded. "Continue: Olav, Even, Martin and Kristoffer, I want you to stay compact throughout the game. Nicki Nielsen was in her best form in the last few games so please keep a close eye on her and don't allow her even an inch of space when she's near our goal. I don't want to see us concede five goals once again, even if it's against a team like Rosenborg."

"Magnus and Magne" he continued after a while, his voice getting more excited. "The two of you are our double shafts in this game. You are a defensive midfielder and the ones who are supposed to protect our defence from their creative midfield. So, I want you to create a pressing zone around Zachary Bemba to reduce it. Its effect on the game."

"Hmmm..."

Waves of muttering rang out in the visitors' dressing room as soon as the coach announced plans to seal Zachary. It seems that the Molde players do not see the need to mark an 18-year-old player fresh out of the academy.

"Shut up" shouted Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, clapping to give the emphasis.

All Molde players are silent and switch to a comfortable poker face mode as they wait for the coach to continue.

"I know what you might all be thinking" said the coach, shaking his head. "Most of you believe that Zachary Bemba is just a rookie teenage player who was just lucky and managed to score in some of his games. But let me tell you this: He is the type who will punish us if we make our third defensive mistake."

“I have watched some of his performances in the past and noticed that he has almost no weaknesses in midfield. He is very clinical and quite creative with the ball, especially in the final third. That's one of the reasons he made it into Rosenborg's starting line-up - just eighteen. He has even scored five goals in less than a week after making his debut."

"And don't let me start that free-kick" continued the coach, starting to move around the visitors' dressing room. "If we concede a dead ball near our box, we will lose. That's for sure, given how efficient he is in set-pieces. Are you aware of that?"

All the players remained silent, waiting for the coach to continue. They were all in their best form since the coach was restless after their 5:1 loss to FK Haugesund the previous Thursday.

Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer swept his gaze across the room before continuing. "Please don't be fooled by his young age and become weak while watching him. It would be a mistake that would ultimately cost us. Instead, you should treat him like the most dangerous opponent."

“We cannot let such a dangerous player follow us at any point in the game. So, my advice to you guys is to make him unstable before he finishes the game. It is difficult for him to accept or distribute the ball by pinning and narrowing the space around him. It should start from the first minute. And no matter how difficult it may be, try to avoid conceding unnecessary free-kicks in our final third. We don't want to reward him every goal and spark his confidence. Are we on the same page?"

"Yes, coach."

"Coach," said Jo Inge Berget, the big-bearded midfielder, raising his hand.

"Yes, Jo," Coach Solskjaer said as he pointed at him.

"My question is not a question, but rather a suggestion," said the bearded man.

"The suggestion at the moment, is only twenty minutes to kick-off, Jo," exclaimed Coach Solskjaer as he shook his head.

"It won't affect the game plan" Jo interrupts. "I'm just suggesting that you let me mark that Zachary Bemba. Rather than using our three players to create a pressure zone around his position, why not let me keep watch. I won't give him even an inch of space. He won't be able to calm down and get peace of mind on the field of play if I keep watching him like an eagle throughout the game."

"What about the responsibility of attacking you?" Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer asked, raising eyebrows.

"Hoseth is there" Jo replied with a grin.

Solskjaer turned his head towards Magne Hoseth, captain of Molde FK, who was sitting at the other end of the dressing room. "Are you ready for this?" She asked.

"Yes, of course," answered Hoseth, a gentle smile adorning his face. “Because Rosenborg has changed its formation to use one attacking midfielder and a wing game, we were able to target Zachary and reap some benefits. If we can seal it well, we will definitely turn off Rosenborg's momentum and dictate the tempo. And the best person for her, her job is me or Jo."

Coach Solskjaer nodded, stroking his chin as if he was thinking hard. "OK, you can continue with that plan because it has almost no adverse effect on our entire game plan" he said after a while. "Jo, you will be responsible for looking after Zachary Bemba. But stay alert and ready to get back into attacking midfield at that very moment. Okay?"

"Yes, coach," Jo replied with a smile. "I'm gonna do it. Thank you for putting your trust in me."

Coach Solksjaer nodded. "That's great, then," he said as he glanced at his watch. "It's almost time. So, let's go out there and perform as best we can. Remember, we defend as a team and attack as a team. Okay?"

"Yes, coach," replied all the players, more or less in unison.

"Then let's go" said the coach once again before leading his players out of the dressing room. It was finally time for the match between Rosenborg and Molde to begin.

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