Italiano frustrated as Bologna ‘keep gifting goals’ in 2-2 with Celtic

BOLOGNA, ITALY – JANUARY 22: Vincenzo Italiano head coach of Bologna FC looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Bologna FC 1909 and Celtic FC at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on January 22, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Vincenzo Italiano was incredibly frustrated at Bologna’s 2-2 comeback draw with 10-man Celtic. ‘We cannot keep gifting goals and start playing from 1-0 down.’

The Rossoblu had a nightmare start at the Stadio Dall’Ara, as Lukasz Skoruski’s howler just six minutes into his return gifted an opener to Reo Hatate.

Even Hatate’s red card after 34 minutes failed to wake them up, as Auston Trusty doubled Celtic’s lead when down to 10 men.

Thijs Dallinga and a Jonathan Rowe scorcher at least got it back on track for 2-2, but this will feel like a wasted opportunity in the circumstances.

Italiano sees same old Bologna mistakes

“We cannot always start from a goal down before we react,” a frustrated Italiano told Sky Sport Italia.

“We’ve also got to be more attentive in defending on corners. After that incident, and also thanks to them being a man down, we managed to score two goals when we could’ve had four or five.

“It’s just a pity that we keep gifting goals to our opponents. Hopefully by this evening at the end of the other games, we’ll be sure of a place in the top 24 of the Europa League table.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Bologna 2-2 Celtic

Bologna had been forced into changes this evening, as Santiago Castro, Federico Bernardeschi and Jhon Lucumi were injured, Ciro Immobile, Remo Freuler, Lorenzo De Silvestri, new signings Simon Sohm and Eivind Helland cup-tied.

It meant Lewis Ferguson was pushed into a more advanced role, one he had already taken with previous Bologna coaches like Thiago Motta.

“I liked Ferguson in the final third, he hadn’t played there in a while. We won the ball back regularly, and apart from the opening 10 minutes, it was a decent performance. I just have to reiterate, we can’t always start playing only after going a goal down. I hope we can find a solution to this,” continued Italiano.

Despite the setback today, Bologna are still on track for a play-off spot in the Europa League, and might even be top seeds.

“The statistics say our results and performances in Europe are good, as we only lost to Aston Villa this season,” noted Italiano.

“It is less of a struggle for us when we are up against teams who play open football and don’t just defend and counter. We’ve just got to be more focused and not make so many costly mistakes. At least I saw a great reaction to going 2-0 down.”

However, this match reflected so many played in recent weeks, dominating possession and putting in endless crosses, but being too often toothless.

“It is difficult to find those passing channels, so the solution tends to be to put crosses in from the flanks,” explained Italiano.

“Rowe’s goal was a shot from outside the box that allowed us to equalise. We’ve all got to improve and have a variety of situations we can call on.

“When opponents clam up in defence, we need to find different ways to break them down.”