brann vs bologna: Bologna flies to Norway as coach signals midfield shake-up
Bologna landed in Bergen on Thursday ahead of the first leg of their Europa League playoff against SK Brann, with kickoff scheduled for 12: 45 PM ET. The Italian side arrive having refreshed their starting setup, while Brann prepare to welcome a European heavyweight despite a heavy injury list and weeks without competitive domestic action.
Team news and likely lineups — rotation, a three-man midfield and a defensive return
Manager Vincenzo Italiano has made it clear he will tinker with the XI for the cold trip to Norway. The coach has leaned toward a three-man midfield to add compactness and physicality: Kevin Ferguson looks set to start alongside Tommaso Pobega, fresh from a recent contract renewal, and a holding presence such as Remo Freuler to give balance. That midfield mix — leadership, combativeness and size — is being prioritised to handle Brann's direct, physical approach.
There is uncertainty across the attacking options. Orsolini, Rowe and others face selection questions: the duo Sohm and Odgaard trained as a pairing in finishing work and could be used from the bench if Bologna need to chase the game; one of them could even start if Italiano opts for a different look. On the back line, the return of Heggem from a muscle issue is a timely boost and he is a candidate to start alongside Lucumi to shield keeper Skorupski. Miranda is available on the left but carries a booking that would see him suspended for the return leg if he picks up another yellow in Bergen. Left-back Lykogiannis is sidelined by injury.
There is also a split in how Bologna might set up: preparations referenced both a 4-3-3 for compactness and the 4-2-3-1 shape used earlier this season. That choice will likely be one of the coach's last-minute calls as he weighs the need for solidity against the need for attacking options in a two-legged tie.
Brann’s situation — injuries, layoff and the weight of history
Brann return to European action after a domestic hiatus and carry a stretched squad. Several first-team players are unavailable, including Saevar Atli Magnusson, Sakarias Opsahl, Eggert Aron Gudmundsson, Jonas Torsvik, Niklas Jensen Wassberg and Niklas Castro. Those absences force Freyr Alexandersson to be selective with his matchday choices and will test depth on a night when Norway’s winter conditions and match sharpness could be decisive.
This tie is significant for Brann: it matches the club's best run in Europe's second-tier competition in recent memory and marks the first European knockout tie for Bologna in 26 years, giving both clubs big incentives. The two sides already drew 0-0 earlier in the group phase, so neither has an obvious advantage heading into the playoff opener.
How the first leg may play out — tactical chess and margins
The nature of the first leg in Bergen suggests a cautious opening. Bologna’s emphasis on a compact midfield aims to neutralize Brann’s direct attackers and protect transitions, while Brann will look to exploit home familiarity and altitude of the occasion to unsettle the visitors early. Bologna’s recent European form — a lengthy unbeaten run after an opening defeat — contrasts with their uneven domestic form, but the team arrives with renewed focus after a league victory that eased pressure.
Key match variables to watch: whether Italiano starts Ferguson and Pobega together to win midfield duels; whether Brann’s depleted roster can keep intensity for 90 minutes; and Miranda’s booking status, which shapes selection risk for the return leg. The tie remains finely poised: a narrow result for either side in Bergen would set up a decisive return leg in Italy, while a clear advantage could open the path to a last-16 meeting with either Roma or Freiburg.
Kickoff is at 12: 45 PM ET Thursday. Expect tight tactical margins, late changes from the coaches and a tie that may only be resolved in the second leg.
