Bologna vs Celta: Bologna Dominates Lackluster Celta Vigo

Balaídos loses its undefeated European record. Celta once again suffers a setback in Europe, this time against Bologna, who were better throughout the match that brings them back to Earth after the victory at the Bernabéu. Claudio Giráldez’s men seemed to have everything thrown at them with Bryan Zaragoza’s initial goal, but it was a mere mirage of reality, the result of success. Several major errors in the ball’s exit and a double by Bernardeschi condemned the celestial team that made life difficult for itself heading into the competition’s qualifiers.

On paper, Bologna’s visit was not a tasteful dish. Vincenzo Italiano’s men are settled in the European places in the Italian league, but with the need to score in Europe to rejoin the top positions. For this reason, the Porriño coach wanted to give continuity to the team that won at the Bernabéu, but with three new features. Ristic entered the line of three center backs, Fran Beltrán as the double pivot and Williot Swedberg who had just scored the double against Real Madrid formed the trident with Zaragoza and Borja Iglesias.

Balaídos wanted to remain undefeated in Europe and he showed it from the first moment. The celestial players wanted to take advantage of this inertia to lead. However, he encountered another reality. Bologna smothered Celta’s ball from the top and Bernardeschi and Miranda warned Radu’s goal. But Giráldez’s men would not take long to react. Swedberg, with a great individual action, provided a luxury assist for Zaragoza, who, with all their pleasure, did not forgive to score the first of the game.

The goal ended up activating Celta, while Bologna seemed to be stunned. This feeling would not last long. Vincenzo’s men returned to the initial plan, matching pairs in pressure and generating a lot of danger with crosses into the area. The Italian team insisted, which had the clearest shot in Rowe’s boots, after a big mistake by Starfelt, but in the one-on-one and with everything at will the British shot wide. He also did not take advantage of another mistake by Mingueza in getting the ball out, Castro who ran into a great stop by Radu. Giráldez’s men took a step back to defend with a low block that allowed them to maintain the advantage until half-time.

Bologna superiority

After the restart, Giráldez did not hesitate to move the tree with the entry of Hugo Álvarez for Zaragoza, who despite the goal had not managed to find good situations in attack, with the aim of changing the sensations with which Celta had finished. But Bologna continued to step on the accelerator in search of the equalizing goal. In fact, he got it after a gift from Bernardeschi to Pobega, but the VAR saved the light blue team by annulling the goal due to a previous offside.

But Celta’s extra life barely lasted a few minutes. Javi Rodríguez committed a penalty on Pobega, which the VAR ended up granting after a few moments of suspense and which Bernardeschi did not forgive to score the tie. Giráldez tried to react with a triple substitution, but the equalizer felt like a bucket of cold water on Balaídos. And, after a new big error at the start, this time by Iago Aspas who made a mistake in the pass, the Italian winger took advantage again to score his double and turn the game around for Bologna. The celestial team tried to react in time, but with everything already sold, Vincenzo Italiano’s team took a well-deserved victory by attacking Balaídos.