Bologna vs Celtic – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Bologna will welcome Celtic to the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Thursday evening in their match of the UEFA Europa League group phase.

Bologna vs Celtic – Match preview and team news

Bologna team news

Bologna are without Federico Bernardeschi, who remains sidelined after fracturing his clavicle during the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final against Inter in December.

The recent blow concerns Colombian defender Jhon Lucumí, who suffered muscle strain during the 1-1 draw with Como and is a doubt for this match. Also doubtful is Martin Vidik, who might sit this one out.

Manager Vincenzo Italiano could implement changes to his starting eleven following a disappointing 1-2 defeat to relegation-threatened Fiorentina at home on Saturday, with midfielder Giovanni Fabbian and winger Jonathan Rowe, who came off the bench to combine for Bologna’s only goal, potentially earning starting roles.

Celtic team news

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill will be unable to call upon several key players. Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand, and Cameron Carter-Vickers remain unavailable due to injury, with Johnston targeting a March return to boost the squad.

Portuguese winger Jota has been ruled out for the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Additionally, Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi are unavailable.

Following extensive squad rotation against Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish FA Cup, O’Neill is expected to name a full-strength team in Bologna. Kasper Schmeichel should return in goal behind a defence comprising Julian Araujo, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales and Kieran Tierney.

Further forward, Sebastian Tounekti, Hyun-Jun Yang and Daizen Maeda are likely to feature after being rested during Celtic’s 2-0 Scottish Cup victory at the weekend.

Form

Bologna

Vincenzo Italiano’s squad has endured a challenging period across all competitions, winning only one of their last nine games.

However, their Europa League performance tells a different story. The Rossoblu remain unbeaten in their last five continental matches, accumulating three victories and two draws, which has lifted them to 13th in the standings with 11 points from six matches, just two points shy of the top eight.

Celtic

After enduring a torrid spell under short-term manager Wilfried Nancy, during which they lost six of eight matches, Celtic have shown dramatic improvement since Martin O’Neill’s return to the dugout on 5 January.

The Scottish side have now won three consecutive matches, including a commanding 4-0 victory over Dundee United and a 2-0 Scottish Cup success against Auchinleck Talbot.

Despite their recent positive trajectory, Celtic’s Europa League campaign has mirrored the inconsistencies in their domestic performances.

They occupy 24th in the league standings with just 7 points from six matches, only above 25th-placed Dinamo Zagreb on goal difference, meaning they risk failing to secure a top-24 finish if they do not get positive results in the final two matches.

Predicted lineups

Bologna: Ravaglia; Holm, Casale, Heggem, Miranda; Freuler, Pobega; Orsolini, Fabbian, Rowe; Castro.

Celtic: Schmeichel; Araujo, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Yang, Maeda, Tounekti.

How to watch Bologna vs Celtic?

UK and international viewers can watch the match live on TNT Sports 2.

Read Also – Rosenior backs struggling Chelsea signing to have ‘outstanding career’

See More – Rosenior rubbishes Chelsea transfer speculation on key player

Follow the Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube