Bologna have their own challenges

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I was chastised by a pal last week when I suggested the Europa League was an irrelevance right now.  “We are Celtic,” he said, “We have to be competing in every competition.”  Indeed.

Earlier in the season Bologna were riding high in Serie A and the Europa League.  A run of 12 games unbeaten put them in contention for a Champions League spot and qualification for the next round of the Europa.  The latter is still a nailed-on certainty, but only one Serie A win since November has seen them slip to 8th.  Form has pivoted south so abruptly you might be tempted to check if they recruited a management team from the MLS.

A win at bottom side Verona last Thursday provided respite, but (then) third from last Fiorentina took all three points when the teams met on Sunday.  This is not a happy time for football fans from the ancient city.

While form may be poor, Bologna are significantly stronger than any side Celtic will face domestically.  To leave with as much as a point will take our best performance since our last Europa League away game, in Rotterdam.  Some of the players’ confidence will be fortified by recent performances at Atalanta and Lazio – both better sides that the one we face tonight.  An interesting test lies ahead.

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560 Comments

  1. Trusty outstanding.

     

    Great effort, well done Celtic.

     

    Reo stays on, that’s three points.

     

    Nygren sub a puzzle