Bologna secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over ten-man Brann in the UEFA Europa League, with João Mário's second-half strike proving decisive.
Bologna edged past Brann 1-0 in a tense Europa League clash at Renato Dall'Ara on February 26, 2026. João Mário's second-half strike secured a vital win for the Rossoblù, who navigated a challenging encounter.
Coming into this match, Bologna sought to improve their group stage standing. They had previously managed just one point from two fixtures. Brann, meanwhile, hoped to build on their earlier win in the competition, sitting on three points.
The game started with both sides battling for control in midfield. Physicality became evident early in the first half. Bologna's M. Vitik received a yellow card for rough play in the 28th minute, setting an aggressive tone.
The match took a dramatic turn in the 37th minute. Brann suffered a significant setback when J. Sorensen was shown a red card for a serious foul. This left the Norwegian visitors with ten men, severely hindering their tactical plans.
Bologna pressed their numerical advantage before the break, aiming to exploit the extra player. However, they couldn't find an opener despite several forays forward. F. Bernardeschi also earned a yellow card for Bologna in the 41st minute as tensions ran high.
At halftime, Bologna knew they needed to capitalize on their extra man. Brann, conversely, faced the daunting challenge of defending for an entire half with a player less. Tactical adjustments were crucial for both managers during the interval.
The breakthrough finally arrived for Bologna in the 56th minute. João Mário emerged as the home side's hero, slotting home a crucial goal. This lifted the home crowd and put Bologna in a commanding position.
Following the goal, both teams made tactical substitutions. Bologna brought on N. Casale for M. Vitik and R. Orsolini for F. Bernardeschi in the 61st minute. Brann also tried to adjust their setup, making three changes in the 73rd minute.
Brann's R. Holten received a yellow card in the 78th minute as the away side continued to battle. Just two minutes later, Bologna's R. Orsolini was also booked. The game remained a hard-fought affair despite Bologna's lead.
Bologna finished with a commanding 61% possession and 16 total shots, with 5 on target. Their expected goals (xG) stood at 1.23, reflecting their offensive pressure. Brann managed 7 shots and an xG of 0.51, a respectable effort given their disadvantage for much of the game.
This hard-fought 1-0 victory boosts Bologna's standing in the Europa League group. They now have four points from three games. Brann, despite a valiant defensive display, will look to bounce back in their next fixture.
