Bologna have their own challenges

560

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.

Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author

560 Comments

  1. some player Rowe – that goal was Nygren not getting to his man – not his fault , he’s not a defender . Kaspar just stood there – no deflection , very very poor from him

  2. Setting up with a 6-3 with no outball was just inviting them on to score…no real surprise. Though I think their 1st goal scorer was off-side at the flick-on

  3. its a very very odd decision to bring on nygren in this situation – he have defenders on the bench

  4. Two subs on, Ralston and Kenny

     

    The latter coud give us an outball with his movement and the former, has extensive experience for both Scotland and Celtic in these scenarios.

     

    We need to concentrate 110%

  5. Thought we going to conjure up another goal there

     

    Maybe we could get one, the thought could worry Bologna at least

  6. AuroraBorealis79 on

    Why is hatate getting blamed for a result he has not been involved with for 50 minutes?

  7. memo to hatate

     

     

    they be sleekit bassas

     

     

    one has to savvy not a …………………….