UEL | Bologna 1-0 SK Brann (2-0 agg): Repeat victory for Round of 16 spot

Bologna are through to the Europa League Round of 16 after another 1-0 victory over SK Brann, decided by Joao Mario after an early red card.

The Rossoblu started 2026 in disastrous form, but managed to turn a corner recently with three consecutive victories in all competition, including the 1-0 first leg result in Norway decided by Santiago Castro. Juan Miranda joined Charalampos Lykogiannis on the treatment table, while Brann were still missing Niklas Castro and Saevar Atli Magnusson. These sides also met here during the league phase in November, and it ended 0-0 despite Lykogiannis seeing red in the opening half-hour.

The winners will face either Roma or Freiburg in the Round of 16, with the draw held on February 27.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 26: Federico Bernardeschi of Bologna is challenged by Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson of SK Brann during 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 big Brann chance in the opening minutes, as Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson volleyed from a corner through a sea of legs, making it an extraordinary Lukasz Skorupski reaction save with one hand.

The visitors had an even clearer scoring opportunity on 19 minutes, as Skorupski managed to slow down the Noah Holm effort, allowing Remo Freuler to get back for a decisive goal-line clearance.

However, Brann were reduced to 10 men after just 37 minutes when Jacob Sorensen tried and failed to control a bouncing ball, and on the way back down he landed studs-first above Freuler’s knee. It was clumsy more than malicious, much like the Lykogiannis red card when these sides met here in November, but so high that it could not be ignored.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 26: Referee Benoît Bastien shows a red card to Jacob Lungi Sorensen of SK Brann during 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 still had another great chance moments later, when Thorsteinsson’s curler from outside the area forced a flying Skorupski one-handed save.

Felix Horn Myhre had a very similar error to Sorensen, catching Lewis Ferguson on the arm with a high boot, but this didn’t even warrant a yellow card.

Nadir Zortea’s ferocious cross-shot tested the goalkeeper at the near post after the restart, then Jhon Lucumi’s looping header forced a wonderful flying Mathias Dyngeland save at the top corner.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 26: Joao Mario of Bologna celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates Nikola Moro and Martin Vitik during 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 forward and Rowe’s pull-back from the by-line was deflected, so Joao Mario controlled from 14 yards and hit the half-volley into the near bottom corner.

Substitute Riccardo Orsolini fired straight at the goalkeeper from the edge of the area, then forced another save at the near post.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 26: Noah Holm of SK Brann is challenged by Jhon Lucumi of Bologna during 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 ready to tap in the Benajmin Dominguez roll across from the left, until a desperate clearance from six yards.

A similar situation saw Rowe pull back from the by-line, only for Dominguez to fire over, then Jens Odgaard’s scuffed finish was put out by Boakye.

In stoppages, Orsolini’s acrobatic bicycle-kick volley was also charged down, but Dominguez was unlucky when he drilled onto the base of the upright.

Bologna 1-0 Brann (2-0 agg)

Joao Mario 56 (Bo)

Sent off: Sorensen 37 (Br)

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