💥 Castro puts Bologna 1-0 up, then takes an elbow! Bologna win in Norway 🔥 | OneFootball

Bologna wins 1-0 against Brann in Norway, with a decisive goal by Castro in the 10th minute thanks to a great angled shot: the first European goal of his career, bringing his season tally into double digits. The return leg at the Dall'Ara will be played next Thursday, February 26.

The same Castro suffers an elbow to the temple which causes some concern, even though he only leaves the field at the end of the first half.

Italiano’s team creates little in the first half—apart from the goal—and is saved by a double save from Skorupski on a corner kick. In the second half, however, they are never at risk, leaving possession to Brann and even coming close to a second goal on several occasions.

❗Castro breaks the deadlock: 1st European goal for him

After 10 minutes Bologna scores to make it 1-0: Cambiaghi finds Castro in the box, who shifts the ball onto his left foot and fires a shot across goal despite the difficult angle. It’s the first goal in Europe for him in his 14th appearance, since last year he went goalless in the Champions League and hadn’t scored yet in this Europa League.

Castro reaches double figures for the second consecutive year, and this goal is also his third in a row across all competitions.

👀 Brann asks for a penalty, then elbow to Castro 🤕

In the 24th minute, Vitik risks conceding a penalty on Pallesen’s cross: however, his arm doesn’t seem too far out and so referee Obrenovic awards a corner. From that very corner, Skorupski makes a double save at Thorsteinsson’s feet.

In the 34th minute, Castro receives an elbow to the temple, the contact is there but the referee does not deem it violent conduct. A few minutes later, Castro collapses to the ground asking for ice on his head: a scare that fortunately does not have further consequences.

The striker is substituted at the start of the second half. Dallinga comes on in his place.

❌ Zero shots from Brann in the 2nd half, Bologna 🔥

In the second half, the match becomes even more focused on duels and Bologna takes advantage of transitions in their favor—possession under 40% for the Rossoblù—especially through individual runs from Orsolini and shots from Dallinga (both substitutes).

Brann never takes a shot in the second half; in fact, it’s Bologna who finish on the attack: 10 shots in the second half force Dyngeland into 4 saves.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

📸 PAUL S. AMUNDSEN - Paul S. Amundsen / NTB