Brann vs Bologna – News and Probable Lineups

After nearly 20 years without advancing to the knockout round of any UEFA tournament, Noruega’s SK Brann will host Bologna in Bergen on Thursday night.

The two teams previously played to a scoreless draw in Italia earlier this season, and now they face off in a two-legged playoff to advance to the Europa League’s last 16 against either Roma or Freiburg.

Match overview

Despite suffering a 1-0 defeat against the Áustrian champions Sturm Graz in their final league-phase match, Brann managed to secure the last knockout spot by finishing 24th – the final playoff position available.

Despite a strong start, they gathered only one point from their last three matches, which included a 4-0 defeat to Turkish club Fenerbahce, followed by a dramatic 3-3 draw with Nordic rivals Midtjylland.

Yet, Freyr Alexandersson’s team still progressed, matching their best performance in Europe’s second-tier competition – which saw them exit to Deportivo La Coruna in the 2007-08 UEFA Cup round of 32.

Last season, Brann finished fourth in Noruega’s Eliteserien, qualifying for next season’s Conference League, but they have since been in a domestic mid-winter hibernation.

A new season begins in mid-next month, but before that, they must try to reach the Europa League’s last 16: after holding 10-man Bologna to a draw in matchday four, they meet a familiar opponent in the playoffs.

While Brann barely advanced through the league phase based on goal difference, Bologna ended their campaign with six extra points, finishing in 10th place.

That wasn’t enough to guarantee automatic qualification for the last 16, requiring Vincenzo Italiano’s team to take a longer route to advance.

Following a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa on the opening matchday, Bologna went unbeaten in their next seven fixtures, including a 3-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv last month.

The Rossoblu have achieved their longest undefeated run in Europe since 1971 and are set to play their first UEFA knockout match in 26 years.

In contrast to their European success, Italiano’s Coppa Italia winners – who also competed in last season’s Champions League – have faced a downturn in Serie A, winning only two out of their last 13 league games.

The second of these rare victories occurred on Sunday, when Santiago Castro’s goal secured a 2-1 win against Torino, alleviating concerns about a crisis within the Emilian club.

Now sitting eighth in the table, Bologna’s cup campaign recently ended at the hands of Lazio after a disappointing 4-1 loss on penalties. This effectively eliminated their last domestic pathway back into Europe, leaving the Europa League as their primary focus.

When the Rossoblu last faced Brann in early November, they were enjoying an eight-match unbeaten streak and were in the hunt for Champions League spots – now they travel to Noruega looking weaker.

Team News

Brann have not played competitive matches in recent weeks, but they have been dealing with an extensive injury list.

Saevar Atli Magnusson, Sakarias Opsahl, Eggert Aron Gudmundsson, Jonas Torsvik, Niklas Jensen Wassberg, and Niklas Castro are all unavailable for selection.

Bologna also acquired 20-year-old defender Eivind Fauske Helland during the winter transfer window, while Ganaian center-back Nana Boakye has proven to be a capable substitute.

Two Brann midfielders performed exceptionally during the league stage: Jacob Sorensen won the joint-most duels (62), while Emil Kornvig netted three goals. However, Kornvig has since moved to Widzew Lodz.

On the other hand, Riccardo Orsolini, Federico Bernardeschi, and Thijs Dallinga led Bologna’s scoring efforts, each finding the net three times.

As Italiano plans to rotate his squad – following a Serie A victory on Sunday – he has some uncertainties regarding Norwegian defender Torbjorn Heggem, while three others will definitely miss the match.

Both Helland and veteran full-back Lorenzo De Silvestri were not included in the updated UEFA squad list; January signings Joao Mario and Simon Sohm are included.

Additionally, Charalampos Lykogiannis – who was sent off in the league-phase game against Brann – is still sidelined due to a flexor issue.

SK Brann probable starting XI:

Duneland; De Roeve, Knudsen, Boakye, Soltvedt; Mhyre, Sorensen, Pedersen; Haaland, Mathisen, Holm

Bologna probable starting XI:

Skorupski; Zortea, Lucumi, Casale, Miranda; Ferguson, Escape; Orsolini, Odgaard, Dominguez; Dalling

Preparing for a tense second leg at Stadio Dall’Ara, these teams are likely to experience another stalemate this season.

Brann may lack peak fitness due to the absence of recent domestic play, but Bologna continues to show vulnerabilities at the back.