brann vs bologna: Bologna revert to three-man midfield as coaches reshuffle ahead of Thursday (Feb. 19, 2026 ET) playoff

SK Brann and Bologna meet in Bergen on Thursday evening as the Europa League playoff resumes, with both coaches making notable selection moves. Bologna's coach has tweaked his starting XI — restoring a three-man midfield that hands a key role to Ferguson — while Brann arrive burdened by injuries but buoyed by a goalless draw between the clubs earlier in the campaign.

Lineup shake-up: three-man midfield, Ferguson back and doubts over Orsolini and Rowe

Italian tactical adjustments dominate the pre-match notes. The visiting coach has signalled a return to a compact three-man midfield, pairing leadership and physicality in the centre. Tommaso Pobega is expected to slot in alongside Remo Freuler and a fit-again Ferguson, the latter described as "raring to go" and likely to start. That central trio is chosen to counter Brann's physical approach and to provide late runs into the box.

Rotation in the attacking zone remains a question mark. There are lingering doubts over whether Riccardo Orsolini keeps his place and whether Jonathan Rowe will start on the left or be held in reserve. Those selection dilemmas suggest the coach is keeping options open — Sohm and Odgaard have both been trialled as potential attacking alternatives during training, and either could be introduced from the bench if the match situation demands a change.

Another tactical subplot: Juan Miranda, the left-back, sits on a booking. The coach must balance defensive stability with the risk that a yellow today could rule Miranda out of the return leg. That disciplinary detail underlines how selection choices this evening could have immediate consequences for the second leg.

Brann’s constrained options and European context

At the other end, Brann's manager faces a lengthy injury list that will shape his starting XI. Several first-team players remain unavailable, including Saevar Atli Magnusson, Sakarias Opsahl, Eggert Aron Gudmundsson and others, forcing changes and limiting rotation. Despite the absences, Brann have the recent memory of a goalless draw with Bologna earlier in the group phase, and they will lean on that clean sheet and home advantage in Bergen.

Brann's run to this knockout tie is notable in historical terms: this is the club's first knockout fixture in a major European competition since a penalty shootout loss to Deportivo de La Coruña in the 2008-09 UEFA Cup. The squad will hope that home familiarity and the winter break's freshness offset the depth advantage of their Italian opponents.

Tactical outlook and key players to watch

Midfield battles look set to decide the tie. Brann's Jacob Sørensen stood out during the group phase, finishing among the tournament leaders for duels won and aerial duels — statistics that underline his importance in midfield engagement and ball recovery. Expect Brann to try to disrupt Bologna's shape and limit the space for Pobega and Freuler to press forward.

On Bologna’s side, the front pairing could be either the in-form Santiago Castro or Thijs Dallinga up top, with supporting wide options shuffled depending on fitness and form. Defensive selections will aim for compactness: central partners projected to start include Heggem and Lucumi, tasked with protecting the goalkeeper and limiting Brann’s attacking transitions.

Historical context adds spice. The season’s earlier meeting ended scoreless, and Bologna have a long unbeaten run in Europe this campaign, but they have not played a major European knockout tie since 1999-2000. Conversely, Bologna have never conceded to Norwegian opposition in European fixtures, a record that adds extra incentive for Brann to break new ground on home soil.

With tactical tweaks, disciplinary considerations and a stretched Brann squad, Thursday’s first leg promises a tight, strategic contest where small margins and late substitutions could prove decisive. The coaches’ final calls on Orsolini, Rowe and the midfield balance will shape the tie’s narrative ahead of the return encounter.