Bologna, fifth in Serie A, beat Celta de Vigo 2-1 at Balaídos, deflating the Galician side's high spirits after their recent win over Real Madrid. The Italians mounted a comeback with two goals from Bernardeschi and dominated through intense pressing. The loss leaves Celta with nine points after six Europa League matchdays, hindering their direct path to the round of 16.
Celta de Vigo entered Balaídos buoyed by their win over Real Madrid at the Bernabéu four days prior, but Bologna quickly burst their bubble. The Italian side, coached by Vincenzo Italiano, applied man-to-man pressing from the start, suffocating Celta's build-up play; the Galicians fielded Ilaix Moriba and Lucas Beltrán in midfield, with Carreira and Óscar Mingueza as wing-backs.
In the first half, Celta struck first on a quick counter: Williot Swedberg controlled on the right flank, beat Lykogiannis, and assisted Bryan Zaragoza, who tapped in past Ravaglia. Yet Bologna, dominant in possession, missed two one-on-ones against Ionuț Radu's goal, with chances for Rowe and Santiago Castro. Borja Iglesias, in excellent form this season, battled Heggem but didn't shine as he did in Madrid.
After halftime, Claudio Giráldez brought on Hugo Álvarez for Bryan Zaragoza. VAR disallowed a Pobega goal for a tight offside on Bernardeschi, but confirmed another play when Javi Rodríguez fouled the Italian in the box, awarding a penalty that Bernardeschi converted to level the score. Soon after, an Iago Aspas turnover in midfield allowed Bernardeschi to score the decisive 1-2.
Bologna sustained their intensity, offering Celta no comeback chance; it's the Galicians' fourth home loss this season, with only two wins at Balaídos. With nine points, they drift from the Europa League's top-8 and will face Lille in Vigo and Estrella Roja in Belgrade in January to determine their progression.
