# 2018 Molde FK season

The 2018 season was Molde's 11th consecutive year in the top flight, Eliteserien, and their 42nd season in the top flight of Norwegian football. They competed in Eliteserien, the Cup and the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League, which they entered at the First qualifying round stage.
In the Norwegian Cup, Molde advanced from the first round on 18 April 2018 after Træff was defeated with the score 1–6. Daniel Chima Chukwu scored a hat-trick in the game. Molde were drawn against Brattvåg in the second round. Molde lost the game 0–1 in extra time after 90 goalless minutes.

## Season events

Ahead of the 2018 season, first team coach Mark Dempsey left Molde on 1 December 2017 to become the new head coach of IK Start.

## Squad

    As of match played 24 November 2018
| No. | Name | Position | Date of birth (Age) | Signed from | Signed in | Contract ends | Apps. | Goals |
| Goalkeepers ||||||||||
| 1 | Andreas Linde | GK | (1993-07-24)24 July 1993 (aged 25) | Helsingborg | 2015 | 2019 | 88 | 0 |
| 12 | Álex Craninx | GK | (1995-10-21)21 October 1995 (aged 23) | Cartagena | 2018 | 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Mathias Ranmark | GK | (1995-10-16)16 October 1995 (aged 23) | Oppsal | 2017 | 2018 | 3 | 0 |
| 46 | Hermann Ræstad | GK | (2000-01-06)6 January 2000 (aged 18) | Academy | | | 0 | 0 |
| Defenders ||||||||||
| 2 | Isak Ssewankambo | DF | (1996-02-27)27 February 1996 (aged 22) | Derby County | 2016 | 2018 | 37 | 0 |
| 3 | Christopher Telo | DF | (1989-11-04)4 November 1989 (aged 29) | IFK Norrköping | 2017 | 2020 | 6 | 0 |
| 4 | Ruben Gabrielsen | DF | (1992-03-10)10 March 1992 (aged 26) | Lillestrøm | 2014 | 2019 | 137 | 5 |
| 5 | Vegard Forren | DF | (1988-02-16)16 February 1988 (aged 30) | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2017 | 2019 | 355 | 17 |
| 6 | Stian Rode Gregersen | DF | (1995-05-17)17 May 1995 (aged 23) | Academy | 2013 | 2020 | 56 | 1 |
| 22 | Christoffer Remmer | DF | (1993-01-16)16 January 1993 (aged 25) | Copenhagen | 2016 | 2019 | 74 | 0 |
| 28 | Kristoffer Haugen | DF | (1994-02-21)21 February 1994 (aged 24) | Viking | 2018 | 2020 | 34 | 2 |
| 38 | Simen Bakkemyr Hagbø | DF | (1999-05-03)3 May 1999 (aged 19) | Academy | 2018 | | 1 | 0 |
| 39 | Elias Mordal | DF | (1998-01-20)20 January 1998 (aged 20) | Academy | 2015 | | 0 | 0 |
| 50 | Thor-Olav Moe | DF | (1999-10-05)5 October 1999 (aged 19) | Academy | | | 0 | 0 |
| 55 | Andreas Uranium | DF | (2000-02-01)1 February 2000 (aged 18) | Academy | | | 0 | 0 |
| 58 | Emil Breivik | DF | (2000-06-11)11 June 2000 (aged 18) | Academy | | | 0 | 0 |
| Midfielders ||||||||||
| 7 | Magnus Wolff Eikrem | MF | (1990-08-08)8 August 1990 (aged 28) | Seattle Sounders | 2018 | 2022 | 103 | 15 |
| 8 | Babacar Sarr | MF | (1991-02-15)15 February 1991 (aged 27) | Sogndal | 2016 | 2019 | 78 | 6 |
| 9 | Mattias Moström | MF | (1983-02-25)25 February 1983 (aged 35) | AIK | 2007 | 2018 | 330 | 35 |
| 11 | Martin Ellingsen | MF | (1995-05-02)2 May 1995 (aged 23) | Kongsvinger | 2017 | 2020 | 13 | 3 |
| 14 | Petter Strand | MF | (1994-08-24)24 August 1994 (aged 24) | Sogndal | 2016 | 2018 | 88 | 10 |
| 16 | Etzaz Hussain | MF | (1993-01-27)27 January 1993 (aged 25) | Rudeš | 2017 | 2019 | 164 | 17 |
| 17 | Fredrik Aursnes | MF | (1995-12-10)10 December 1995 (aged 22) | Hødd | 2016 | 2019 | 94 | 14 |
| 19 | Eirik Hestad | MF | (1995-06-26)26 June 1995 (aged 23) | Academy | 2012 | 2019 | 131 | 20 |
| 46 | Hermann Svendsen | MF | (1999-05-13)13 May 1999 (aged 19) | Academy | | | 0 | 0 |
| 59 | Tobias Hestad | MF | (2000-12-29)29 December 2000 (aged 17) | Academy | | | 0 | 0 |
| Forwards ||||||||||
| 10 | Leke James | FW | (1992-11-01)1 November 1992 (aged 26) | Free agent | 2018 | 2020 | 14 | 4 |
| 20 | Thomas Amang | FW | (1998-02-09)9 February 1998 (aged 20) | Rainbow Bamenda | 2016 | 2020 | 50 | 11 |
| 24 | Paweł Cibicki | FW | (1994-01-04)4 January 1994 (aged 24) | loan from Leeds United | 2018 | 2018 | 17 | 3 |
| 27 | Daniel Chima Chukwu | FW | (1991-04-04)4 April 1991 (aged 27) | Legia Warszawa | 2018 | 2020 | 163 | 56 |
| 30 | Erling Haaland | FW | (2000-07-21)21 July 2000 (aged 18) | Bryne | 2017 | | 48 | 19 |
| 47 | Christian Dahl | FW | (1999-05-26)26 May 1999 (aged 19) | Academy | | | 0 | 0 |
| 49 | Sivert Gussiås | FW | (1999-08-18)18 August 1999 (aged 19) | Academy | 2018 | 2019 | 1 | 0 |
| 54 | Henrik Jenset | FW | (2000-01-22)22 January 2000 (aged 18) | Academy | | | 0 | 0 |
| 56 | William Røsok | FW | (2000-03-31)31 March 2000 (aged 18) | Academy | | | 0 | 0 |
| | Magnus Langset | FW | (1999-05-08)8 May 1999 (aged 19) | Academy | | | 0 | 0 |
| Out on loan ||||||||||
| 13 | Ibrahima Wadji | FW | (1995-05-05)5 May 1995 (aged 23) | Gazişehir Gaziantep | 2017 | 2020 | 17 | 4 |
| 15 | Sonni Nattestad | DF | (1994-08-05)5 August 1994 (aged 24) | FH | 2016 | 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | Tobias Svendsen | MF | (1999-08-31)31 August 1999 (aged 19) | Academy | 2015 | 2020 | 23 | 1 |
| 25 | Óttar Magnús Karlsson | FW | (1997-02-21)21 February 1997 (aged 21) | Vikingur Reykjavik | 2017 | 2019 | 11 | 1 |
| 27 | Martin Ove Roseth | DF | (1998-07-10)10 July 1998 (aged 20) | Academy | 2016 | 2021 | 2 | 0 |
| 33 | Fredrik Brustad | FW | (1989-06-22)22 June 1989 (aged 29) | AIK | 2016 | 2019 | 62 | 15 |
| | Agnaldo | MF | (1994-03-11)11 March 1994 (aged 24) | Desportivo Brasil | 2014 | 2018 | 70 | 9 |
| Players who left club during season ||||||||||
| 7 | Mathias Normann | MF | (1996-05-28)28 May 1996 (aged 22) | loan from Brighton & Hove Albion | 2017 | 2018 | 18 | 1 |
| 18 | Leo Skiri Østigård | DF | (1999-11-28)28 November 1999 (aged 18) | Academy | 2017 | 2020 | 1 | 0 |
| 48 | Thomas Nerland | MF | (1999-07-02)2 July 1999 (aged 19) | Academy | | | 0 | 0 |
| 52 | Erik Iversen | GK | (1999-12-14)14 December 1999 (aged 18) | Academy | | | 0 | 0 |

## Transfers
### In

| Date | Position | Name | From | Fee |
| 1 January 2018 | GK | Neydson | Elverum | Loan Return |
| 1 January 2018 | DF | Ole Martin Rindarøy | Sogndal | Loan Return |
| 1 January 2018 | MF | Etzaz Hussain | Odd | Loan Return |
| 1 January 2018 | MF | Kristian Strande | Brattvåg | Loan Return |
| 1 January 2018 | MF | Agnaldo | Vila Nova | Loan Return |
| 10 January 2018 | DF | Kristoffer Haugen | Viking | Undisclosed |
| 14 February 2018 | FW | Daniel Chima Chukwu | Legia Warsaw | Undisclosed |
| 30 April 2018 | FW | Leke James | Free Agent | Free |
| 17 July 2018† | MF | Erling Knudtzon | Lillestrøm | Undisclosed |
| 25 July 2018 | MF | Magnus Wolff Eikrem | Seattle Sounders | Undisclosed |
| 27 July 2018 | GK | Álex Craninx | Cartagena | Free |
    † Knudtzon's moves was announced on the above date, but was finalised on 1 January 2019.

### Out

| Date | Position | Name | To | Fee |
| 24 November 2017 | MF | Ola Ormset Husby | Brattvåg | Undisclosed |
| 4 December 2017 | DF | Roni Peiponen | HJK Helsinki | Undisclosed |
| 1 January 2018 | GK | Neydson | Brattvåg | Undisclosed |
| 5 January 2018 | FW | Björn Bergmann Sigurðarson | Rostov | Undisclosed |
| 31 January 2018 | DF | Ole Martin Rindarøy | Sogndal | Undisclosed |
| 1 February 2018 | DF | Joona Toivio | Bruk-Bet Termalica Nieciecza | Undisclosed |
| 2 February 2018 | FW | Adnan Dudić | Brattvåg | Undisclosed |
| 10 February 2018 | DF | Kristian Strande | Egersund | Undisclosed |
| 10 February 2018 | GK | Jonatan Strand Byttingsvik | Levanger | Undisclosed |
| 1 June 2018 | MF | Eman Markovic | Zrinjski Mostar | Undisclosed |
| 26 June 2018 | DF | Thomas Nerland | Kristiansund | Undisclosed |
| 1 August 2018 | MF | Mikael Wenaas | Kristiansund | Undisclosed |
| 15 August 2018 | DF | Leo Skiri Østigård | Brighton & Hove Albion | Undisclosed |
| 23 August 2018 | GK | Erik Iversen | Sunndal | Undisclosed |

### Loans in

| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Date to | Ref. |
| 26 January 2018 | MF | | Mathias Normann | Brighton & Hove Albion | Summer 2018 | |
| 3 July 2018 | FW | | Paweł Cibicki | Leeds United | End of Season | |

### Loans out

| Date from | Position | Name | to | Date to |
| 30 January 2018 | MF | Agnaldo | RoPS | 31 December 2018 |
| 15 February 2018 | DF | Martin Ove Roseth | Levanger | 31 December 2018 |
| 28 February 2018 | FW | Óttar Magnús Karlsson | Trelleborg | 31 December 2018 |
| 1 March 2018 | DF | Sonni Nattestad | Aalesund | Summer 2018 |
| 13 March 2018 | DF | Leo Skiri Østigård | Viking | 15 August 2018 |
| 19 March 2018 | DF | Isak Ssewankambo | Malmö | 20 July 2018 |
| 26 July 2018 | MF | Ibrahima Wadji | Haugesund | 31 December 2018 |
| 15 August 2018 | MF | Tobias Svendsen | Haugesund | 31 December 2018 |
| 31 August 2018 | FW | Fredrik Brustad | Hamilton Academical | 31 May 2019 |
| 31 August 2018 | DF | Sonni Nattestad | AC Horsens | 31 December 2018 |

### Released

| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | Joined | Date | Ref. |
| 29 November 2017 | DF | | Knut Olav Rindarøy | Retired | Retired | |

## Competitions
### Eliteserien
#### Results summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Last updated: 24 November 2018. Source: see below

#### Results by round

| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| Ground | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | A |
| Result | W | W | W | L | W | D | L | D | L | W | L | W | L | W | W | W | D | W | L | L | D | W | W | W | W | D | W | W | W | W |
| Position | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |

#### Table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
| 1 | Rosenborg (C) | 30 | 19 | 7 | 4 | 51 | 24 | +27 | 64 | Qualification for the Champions League first qualifying round |
| 2 | Molde | 30 | 18 | 5 | 7 | 63 | 36 | +27 | 59 | Qualification for the Europa League first qualifying round |
| 3 | Brann | 30 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 45 | 31 | +14 | 58 | Qualification for the Europa League first qualifying round |
| 4 | Haugesund | 30 | 16 | 5 | 9 | 45 | 33 | +12 | 53 | Qualification for the Europa League first qualifying round |
| 5 | Kristiansund | 30 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 46 | 41 | +5 | 46 | |
* ↑ Since the winners of the 2018 Norwegian Cup (Rosenborg) qualified for European competition based on league position, the spot awarded to the cup winners (Europa League first qualifying round) was passed to the second-placed team, while the spot awarded to the second-placed team (Europa League first qualifying round) was passed to the fourth-placed team.

### Europa League
#### Qualifying phase
## Squad statistics
### Appearances and goals

    As of match played 24 November 2018
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Total | Eliteserien | Eliteserien | Norwegian Cup | Norwegian Cup | Europa League | Europa League |
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| 1 | GK | SWE | Andreas Linde | 38 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | SWE | Isak Ssewankambo | 5 | 0 | 0+4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | SWE | Christopher Telo | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | NOR | Ruben Gabrielsen | 34 | 1 | 24+1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | NOR | Vegard Forren | 35 | 1 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | NOR | Stian Rode Gregersen | 19 | 0 | 8+5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3+2 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | NOR | Magnus Wolff Eikrem | 20 | 4 | 12+2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2+4 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | SEN | Babacar Sarr | 36 | 5 | 22+5 | 4 | 1+1 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| 9 | MF | SWE | Mattias Moström | 22 | 2 | 8+10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 |
| 10 | FW | NGA | Leke James | 14 | 4 | 5+4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0+5 | 1 |
| 14 | MF | NOR | Petter Strand | 35 | 2 | 14+12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5+3 | 1 |
| 16 | MF | NOR | Etzaz Hussain | 32 | 6 | 21+2 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| 17 | MF | NOR | Fredrik Aursnes | 37 | 10 | 23+6 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 6+1 | 2 |
| 19 | MF | NOR | Eirik Hestad | 38 | 15 | 29+1 | 8 | 0+1 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| 20 | FW | CMR | Thomas Amang | 7 | 1 | 5+2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | DF | DEN | Christoffer Remmer | 32 | 0 | 22+2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 24 | FW | SWE | Paweł Cibicki | 18 | 3 | 11+2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2+3 | 0 |
| 26 | GK | NOR | Mathias Ranmark | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | FW | NGA | Daniel Chima Chukwu | 17 | 6 | 4+7 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3+1 | 0 |
| 28 | DF | NOR | Kristoffer Haugen | 34 | 2 | 26 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 30 | FW | NOR | Erling Haaland | 30 | 16 | 17+8 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 |
| 38 | DF | NOR | Simen Hagbø | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 43 | FW | NOR | Sivert Gussiås | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Players away from Molde on loan: ||||||||||||
| 13 | MF | SEN | Ibrahima Wadji | 7 | 3 | 0+4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 21 | MF | NOR | Tobias Svendsen | 10 | 0 | 1+6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 33 | FW | NOR | Fredrik Brustad | 21 | 3 | 11+5 | 2 | 1+1 | 1 | 1+2 | 0 |
| Players who appeared for Molde no longer at the club: ||||||||||||
| 7 | MF | NOR | Mathias Normann | 12 | 1 | 8+2 | 1 | 1+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

### Goalscorers

    As of match played 24 November 2018
| Rank | Pos. | No. | Nat. | Player | Eliteserien | Norwegian Cup | Europa League | Total |
| 1 | FW | 30 | | Erling Haaland | 12 | 0 | 4 | 16 |
| 2 | MF | 19 | | Eirik Hestad | 8 | 0 | 7 | 15 |
| 3 | MF | 17 | | Fredrik Aursnes | 8 | 0 | 2 | 10 |
| 4 | MF | 16 | | Etzaz Hussain | 5 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 4 | FW | 27 | | Daniel Chima Chukwu | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| 6 | MF | 8 | | Babacar Sarr | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| 7 | MF | 7 | | Magnus Wolff Eikrem | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 7 | FW | 10 | | Leke James | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 9 | FW | 24 | | Paweł Cibicki | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 9 | FW | 33 | | Fredrik Brustad | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 9 | MF | 13 | | Ibrahima Wadji | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 12 | MF | 9 | | Mattias Moström | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 12 | DF | 28 | | Kristoffer Haugen | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 12 | MF | 14 | | Petter Strand | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 15 | DF | 4 | | Ruben Gabrielsen | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 15 | DF | 5 | | Vegard Forren | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 15 | MF | 7 | | Mathias Normann | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 15 | FW | 20 | | Thomas Amang | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| | | | | Own goal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | 63 | 6 | 17 | 86 |

### Clean sheets

| Rank | Pos. | No. | Nat. | Player | Eliteserien | Norwegian Cup | Europa League | Total |
| 1 | GK | 1 | | Andreas Linde | 8 | 0 | 4 | 12 |
| 2 | GK | 26 | | Mathias Eriksen Ranmark | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | 9 | 0 | 4 | 13 |

### Disciplinary record

    As of match played 24 November 2018
| No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name | Eliteserien | Eliteserien | Norwegian Cup | Norwegian Cup | Europa League | Europa League | Total | Total |
| 2 | DF | | Isak Ssewankambo | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | | Ruben Gabrielsen | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | | Vegard Forren | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | | Stian Rode Gregersen | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | | Magnus Wolff Eikrem | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | | Babacar Sarr | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 9 | MF | | Mattias Moström | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 14 | MF | | Petter Strand | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 16 | MF | | Etzaz Hussain | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 17 | MF | | Fredrik Aursnes | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 19 | MF | | Eirik Hestad | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 22 | DF | | Christoffer Remmer | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 24 | FW | | Paweł Cibicki | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 27 | FW | | Daniel Chima Chukwu | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 28 | DF | | Kristoffer Haugen | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 30 | FW | | Erling Haaland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Players away from Molde on loan: ||||||||||||
| 21 | MF | | Tobias Svendsen | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Players who appeared for Molde no longer at the club: ||||||||||||
| 7 | MF | | Mathias Normann | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | 42 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 56 | 1 |