Football Season Guide

Valerenga were disappointing last season season. The new head coach Ronny Deila, fresh from success in Celtic, was keen on trying to challenge Rosenborg for the title, but those ambitions fell away as quickly as the words left his mouth last spring. Because in truth Valerenga looked more like relegation candidates than any title hopefuls. To save himself from any pre-season embarrassment this time around, Deila has curtailed any title talk, but that doesn't mean expectations aren't high at the Oslo club. There has been some real freshening up of the squad ahead of the 2018 campaign, and the only thing frustrating Deila at the moment is the potential absentees from the starting line up through injury. Defender Felipe Carvalho arrived from Malmo in Sweden, but he might not be match fit yet, and with Jonatan Tollas Nation also a doubt, the defence all of a sudden looks very makeshift indeed. Right back Amin Nouri was often steady as a rock for rivals Brann, and he looks a very good addition to the back four. He too is struggling with a knock at present though. Pre-season results haven't been disastrous and there's a feeling Valerenga should be well up for this campaign. Some exciting new faces to go along with tried and tested campaigner should see a promising mix of players this season. If Deila gets them to click right away, this could be a very good season for Valerenga indeed. But a lot will be revealed in the first game away to Kristiansund.