Bologna 2 – 2 Celtic

Celtic survived a Bologna uprising to pick up a vital point in their penultimate Europa League game and keep their progress hopes alive.

It was a dream start for the Hoops in Italy, as Daizen Maeda capitalized on a goalkeeping error to put Reo Hatate ahead early.

But the goalscorer was then sent off after picking up two quick yellow cards as Celtic’s challenge became tougher.

Auston Trusty was solid in defense as the Serie A side piled on the pressure, and the defender then doubled the lead just before half-time.

Then wave after wave of attacks from the home team began, with Thes Dalinga and Jonathan Rowe reducing the score to 2-2.

Martin O’Neill’s side though managed to hold on for a draw, meaning there is still plenty to play for against Utrecht at Parkhead next week.

Hoops grabs an invaluable point

Hatati opened the scoring in the sixth minute after a gift from Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski, who passed the ball directly to midfielder Daizen Maeda. The Japanese striker passed the ball to his compatriot to score into the empty net.

Skorupski partially redeemed himself moments later when he headed Hyun-jun Yang’s shot over the bar after Hatate’s cross had threatened to put Maeda behind. Liam Scales almost darted home in the resulting corner.

The game quickly turned when Kasper Schmeichel made his first save when Celtic were down to ten men for the first time when Maeda briefly solved a problem with a contact lens.

The home side continued to press. Callum McGregor made the challenge of saving goals after slow play from Hatate and Trusty made a series of blocks and tackles in the box.

Schmeichel turned over a corner kick that threatened to sail straight in and made a good save from Juan Miranda’s first shot.

Hatati was booked for a foul on Ferguson before needlessly kicking the boot to catch Miranda in the 34th minute as the pair chased a ball that was heading into Bologna’s half. A red card followed and O’Neill also received a yellow card for his protests.

Celtic fans celebrated again five minutes before half-time as Trusty scored from the crossbar at the back post after Arne Ingels headed in Kieran Tierney’s corner.

Tommaso Pobega’s header was saved by Schmeichel, and although Maeda fired a half-chance wide, the second half quickly developed into an attack on the Dane’s goal.

Schmeichel saved Ferguson’s header and Nicolo Casale’s shot before Benjamin Dominguez shot over the crossbar.

The pressure paid off in the 58th minute when Dalinga got in front of Colby Donovan to head home from six yards after Jens Odgaard headed in a cross.

Maeda was now playing as an additional wing-back as Celtic defended but the pressure was relentless. The equalizer came in the 72nd minute when former Norwich winger Rowe created space on the edge of the penalty area and rounded substitute Benjamin Nygren to fire a shot into the roof of the net past a still Schmeichel.

Celtic came out of their shell and had opportunities to snatch an unexpected win. Substitute Jonny Kenny was forced into a save and may have been able to play Maeda on the counter-attack while Liam Scales’ header was turned over.

The hosts also had chances and Schmeichel saved from Riccardo Orsolini and Nicolo Cambiaggi.

O’Neill restores Celtic’s faith

Sky Sports’ Adam Butt at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium:

“What a game, Celtic can’t see it as a two-point loss given the circumstances. Bologna threw everything at them but they defended with resilience – reliable, in particular, brilliant.

“O’Neill has instilled such faith in these players, it’s hard to understand how the same team that was wilting not so long ago can have a real chance of reaching the knockout stages of the Europa League now.

“Of course, this game will take a lot out of them before that important clash with Hearts at the weekend. But try telling that to the Celtic fans here in this stadium now.”

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