In a match defined by tactical patience and a pivotal numerical advantage, Vincenzo Italiano’s side navigated a treacherous path to secure their spot in the Europa League Round of 16. The encounter at the Dall’Ara was a tale of two halves: one where the Norwegian visitors, Brann, dictated the tempo with steely resolve, and another where the quality of the Rossoblù finally shone through. Ultimately, it was a moment of brilliance from a former Juventus man that proved decisive, ensuring the Italian side keeps their European dreams alive.
A Turbulent Start For The Rossoblù
The opening exchanges did not follow the script many expected in Bologna. Despite holding a narrow 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Bergen, Italiano’s men found themselves uncharacteristically stifled. With personnel issues forcing a tactical reshuffle—specifically the absence of natural left-backs Lykogiannis and Miranda—Joao Mario was deployed on the left wing, a move that would later prove prophetic but initially left the team searching for balance.
Brann, led by coach Alexandersson, arrived with an unchanged lineup and a clear psychological edge. They played with a level of ease and confidence that belied their underdog status. As early as the 5th minute, the visitors nearly erased the aggregate deficit. Thorsteinsson unleashed a goal-bound effort from a corner that required a miraculous intervention from Lukasz Skorupski. The Polish goalkeeper was arguably Bologna's most important figure in the early stages, as the Italian side struggled to develop any fluid rhythm.
By the 15th minute, the tension in the stadium was palpable. While Vitik managed a rare response for the hosts with a shot that whistled past Dyngeland’s post, the danger remained at the other end. A slow but goal-bound effort from Holm forced Freuler into a desperate goal-line clearance. For much of the first half, Bologna looked a shadow of their usual selves, bogged down by misplaced passes and a lack of intensity in the midfield.
The Turning Point At The Dall’Ara
The complexion of the tie shifted dramatically in the 36th minute. In a heated midfield duel, Sorensen caught Freuler on the thigh with a high, lunging challenge. While the contact appeared accidental, the referee, Monsieur Bastien, deemed the studs-up tackle dangerous enough to brandish a direct red card.
Brann were reduced to 10 men, a mirror image of the first leg where Bologna had faced a similar disadvantage. However, the Norwegians refused to retreat into a defensive shell immediately. Even with a man down, Thorsteinsson forced another spectacular save from Skorupski with a curling 25-yard effort. At the interval, the statistics told a worrying story for the home fans: the visitors had created the better chances and looked the more cohesive unit despite the dismissal.
Breaking The Deadlock
The second half saw a recalibrated Bologna. Italiano demanded faster distribution and pushed his lines higher, sensing that the tired legs of the 10-man Norwegian side would eventually falter. The pressure began to mount, starting with a powerful header from Lucumi that tested Dyngeland’s reflexes.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 51st minute, sparking scenes of relief across the stands. The move was a testament to the "well-executed ideas" Italiano has instilled in the squad. Moro initiated a slick combination that found Rowe in a pocket of space. Rowe expertly squared the ball for Joao Mario, who had drifted inside from his wide starting position. The Portuguese midfielder unleashed a precise right-footed strike that beat Dyngeland and nestled into the back of the net.
With the score at 1-0 on the night and 2-0 on aggregate, the momentum swung irreversibly in favor of the Italians.
Seeing Out The Result And Looking To The Future
Following the goal, the match turned into a period of game management for Bologna. Italiano utilized his bench to maintain energy, introducing Orsolini and Casale to replace Bernardeschi and the cautioned Vitik. The hosts hunted for a second goal to put the tie beyond any doubt, with Dominguez coming agonizingly close when his powerful effort struck the post.
Brann’s resistance remained admirable until the final whistle, but they could not find the clinical edge needed to overcome the numerical deficit. As the clock ticked down, the Dall’Ara celebrated a hard-fought victory that was as much about grit as it was about technical superiority.
With this hurdle cleared, the focus now shifts to the UEFA draw. A potential domestic "derby" against Roma looms large, as does a challenging trip to face Freiburg. Regardless of the opponent, Bologna has proven they can suffer and survive—a vital trait for any team with ambitions of lifting European silverware. The prospect of a high-stakes clash against a side like Gasperini’s Atalanta further down the line adds even more intrigue to what is shaping up to be a historic European campaign for the club.