Bologna are via to the Europa League Round of 16 after one other 1-0 victory over SK Brann, determined by Joao Mario after an early crimson card.
The Rossoblu began 2026 in disastrous kind, however managed to show a nook just lately with three consecutive victories in all competitors, together with the 1-0 first leg result in Norway determined by Santiago Castro. Juan Miranda joined Charalampos Lykogiannis on the treatment table, whereas Brann had been nonetheless lacking Niklas Castro and Saevar Atli Magnusson. These sides additionally met right here through the league part in November, and it ended 0-0 regardless of Lykogiannis seeing crimson within the opening half-hour.
The winners will face both Roma or Freiburg within the Round of 16, with the draw held on February 27.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 26: Federico Bernardeschi of Bologna is challenged by Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson of SK Brann through the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and SK Brann at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on February 26, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
There was a giant Brann probability within the opening minutes, as Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson volleyed from a nook via a sea of legs, making it a unprecedented Lukasz Skorupski response save with one hand.
The guests had a good clearer scoring alternative on 19 minutes, as Skorupski managed to decelerate the Noah Holm effort, permitting Remo Freuler to get again for a decisive goal-line clearance.
However, Brann had been decreased to 10 males after simply 37 minutes when Jacob Sorensen tried and failed to regulate a bouncing ball, and on the best way again down he landed studs-first above Freuler’s knee. It was clumsy greater than malicious, very similar to the Lykogiannis crimson card when these sides met right here in November, however so excessive that it couldn’t be ignored.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 26: Referee Benoît Bastien exhibits a crimson card to Jacob Lungi Sorensen of SK Brann through the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and SK Brann at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on February 26, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Nonetheless, 10-man Brann nonetheless had one other nice probability moments later, when Thorsteinsson’s roller from outdoors the world compelled a flying Skorupski one-handed save.
Felix Horn Myhre had a really related error to Sorensen, catching Lewis Ferguson on the arm with a excessive boot, however this didn’t even warrant a yellow card.
Nadir Zortea’s ferocious cross-shot examined the goalkeeper on the close to submit after the restart, then Jhon Lucumi’s looping header compelled an exquisite flying Mathias Dyngeland save on the prime nook.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 26: Joao Mario of Bologna celebrates scoring his workforce’s first aim with teammates Nikola Moro and Martin Vitik through the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and SK Brann at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on February 26, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Bologna continued to pour ahead and Rowe’s pull-back from the by-line was deflected, so Joao Mario managed from 14 yards and hit the half-volley into the close to backside nook.
Substitute Riccardo Orsolini fired straight on the goalkeeper from the sting of the world, then compelled one other save on the close to submit.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 26: Noah Holm of SK Brann is challenged by Jhon Lucumi of Bologna through the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and SK Brann at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on February 26, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Orsolini was able to faucet within the Benajmin Dominguez roll throughout from the left, till a determined clearance from six yards.
The same scenario noticed Rowe pull again from the by-line, just for Dominguez to fireside over, then Jens Odgaard’s scuffed end was put out by Boakye.
In stoppages, Orsolini’s acrobatic bicycle-kick volley was additionally charged down, however Dominguez was unfortunate when he drilled onto the bottom of the upright.
Bologna 1-0 Brann (2-0 agg)
Sent off: Sorensen 37 (Br)
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