Bologna Battle Back To Draw With Ten-Man Celtic In Europa League Thriller

The Stadio Renato Dall’Ara was a cauldron of noise and color on January 22, 2026, as Bologna and Celtic clashed for the very first time in European competition. With both sides desperate for points to keep their UEFA Europa League dreams alive, the match delivered a dramatic 2-2 draw that left fans breathless and qualification very much in the balance.

Heading into this all-important Matchday 7 encounter, Bologna sat 13th in the league phase table with 11 points from six games, needing a win to potentially nail down a playoff spot. Celtic, meanwhile, found themselves in 24th place with 7 points, knowing that anything less than a strong result could see their knockout hopes hanging by a thread. Both sides had endured mixed fortunes in their domestic leagues—Bologna had recently lost 1-2 to Fiorentina in Serie A, while Celtic arrived buoyed by three straight wins across the Scottish Cup and Premiership, including a 2-0 triumph over Auchinleck Talbot and a 1-0 victory at Falkirk.

The build-up was dominated by talk of absentees and tactical tweaks. Bologna, under coach Vincenzo Italiano, were forced to make do without Federico Bernardeschi (shoulder injury), Martin Vitik (muscle problems), and Jhon Lucumi (leg flexor injury). Santiago Castro was also ruled out with flu symptoms, and Eivind Helland served a suspension. Riccardo Orsolini and Martin Vitik were not fully fit, further limiting the Rossoblu’s options. On the other side, Celtic manager Martin O’Neill—already the club’s third boss of the campaign after stints by Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy—had to contend with a lengthy injury list: Kelechi Iheanacho, Jota, Marcelo Saracchi, Callum Osmand, Alistair Johnston, and Cameron Carter-Vickers all missed out, while new signings Julian Araujo and Stephen Welsh were ineligible for European play.

With so many regulars missing, both coaches were forced to shuffle their lineups. Bologna welcomed back Lukasz Skorupski in goal after more than two months on the sidelines, with a back line of Zortea, Heggem, Casale, and Miranda. Lewis Ferguson, the Scottish international, pulled the strings in midfield alongside Moro and Pobega, while the attack featured Jonathan Rowe, Thijs Dallinga, and Benja Dominguez. For Celtic, veteran Kasper Schmeichel got the nod between the posts, shielded by a defense of Donovan, Trusty, Scales, and Tierney. The midfield trio comprised McGregor, Hatate, and Engels, while the attacking line was led by Daizen Maeda, flanked by Yang Hyunjun and Sebastian Tounekti.

The match got off to a pulsating start, with both teams showing early intent. Bologna looked to seize the initiative in front of their home crowd, but it was Celtic who struck first. In just the 5th minute, a defensive error from the hosts allowed Reo Hatate to pounce inside the box and fire past Skorupski, giving the Scottish side a dream start. Buoyed by the goal, Celtic pressed high and threatened on the counter, forcing Bologna’s defense to scramble and regroup.

The visitors doubled their advantage in the 40th minute, stunning the home fans. Auston Trusty rose highest at a corner, powering a header into the net and putting Celtic 2-0 up. The goal capped off a first half in which Celtic’s efficiency in front of goal and disciplined defensive organization paid dividends. But the match took a dramatic turn before halftime as Celtic were reduced to ten men—Hatate, the opening goalscorer, was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge, leaving his side to defend their lead with a numerical disadvantage.

At halftime, the mood inside the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara was tense. Bologna’s coach Vincenzo Italiano had called for a reaction before the match, stating, “There’s no time to get depressed. I want a reaction against Celtic. I want to see the real Bologna.” The second half saw his players answer that call. With the crowd roaring them on, Bologna poured forward relentlessly, dominating possession and creating wave after wave of attacks. Celtic, pinned deep in their own half, relied on Schmeichel’s heroics as the veteran keeper produced a string of crucial saves to keep the hosts at bay.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 58th minute. Thijs Dallinga, a constant threat around the box, latched onto a loose ball and finished clinically to halve the deficit. The goal electrified the stadium and gave Bologna renewed hope. The Rossoblu continued to press, and their persistence was rewarded in the 73rd minute when Jonathan Rowe found the equalizer after a sustained spell of pressure. The home fans erupted, sensing that a famous comeback was on the cards.

With momentum firmly on their side and a man advantage, Bologna threw everything forward in the closing stages. Substitute attackers were introduced to add fresh legs, and the hosts camped in the Celtic half, peppering Schmeichel’s goal with shots and crosses. Yet, despite the onslaught, Celtic’s defense—marshalled by Schmeichel and Trusty—held firm, clearing their lines and throwing bodies in the way of every effort.

The final whistle brought a mix of relief and frustration for both sides. Bologna, who had shown guts and character to come back from 2-0 down, were left to rue their missed chances to claim all three points. Celtic, on the other hand, could take pride in their resilience and discipline, having survived for over half the match with ten men to earn a valuable point on the road. The 2-2 draw means both teams remain in contention for the Europa League knockout rounds, setting up a nail-biting final matchday in the league phase.

After the match, Martin O’Neill acknowledged the challenge his team had faced, telling reporters: “This is a difficult game for us, first because it’s away from home, and second because of the opponent. We’ve left ourselves an uphill task, but we still have a chance and we must go for it.” His counterpart, Vincenzo Italiano, praised his side’s fighting spirit but insisted there was more work to do to secure qualification.

As the dust settles on a night of high drama in Bologna, both sets of supporters can take heart from their teams’ determination and desire. With one round left in the league phase, everything is still to play for in the Europa League—and if tonight’s action was any indication, more fireworks are surely in store.