Celtic survived a Bologna fightback to pick up a crucial point in the penultimate match of the Europa League and keep their promotion hopes alive.
It was a dream start for the Italian Hoops as Daizen Maeda took advantage of a goalkeeper error to set up Reo Hatate’s opening goal.
However, the scorer received two simple yellow cards and was sent off as Celtic’s challenge became more difficult.
Auston Trusty held firm on the last line as the Serie A side increased the pressure, with the defender doubling their lead just before half-time.
This was followed by a flurry of attacks from the hosts, with Thais Dalinga and Jonathan Lowe bringing the match back to 2-2.
However, coach Martin O’Neill’s side managed to hold out for a draw. That means everything remains to face Utrecht at Parkhead next week.
Hoops earn valuable points
Reo Hatate scores the first goal in Italy
Hatate took the lead in the 6th minute after receiving a pass from Bologna goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski, and the ball was passed directly to center forward Daizen Maeda. The Japanese forward rolled his compatriot’s ball into an empty net.
Moments later, after Hatate’s pass threatened Maeda in the back, Skorupski partially recovered by smashing Yang Hyun-jun’s shot over the bar. Liam Scales almost scrambled home the corner.
However, the match moved quickly with Kasper Schmeichel making the first save from Nadir Zoltair as Celtic were briefly reduced to 10 men as Maeda resolved a contact lens problem.
Reo Hatate was sent off after conceding 2 goals in the first half.
The hosts kept the pressure on. Callum McGregor produced a goal-saving challenge after some slow play from Hatate, with Trustee making a series of blocks and interventions inside the penalty area.
Schmeichel tipped over a corner that looked like it was going straight, but made a good save from Juan Miranda’s first-time shot.
The flag bearer was booked for a foul on Lewis Ferguson, but in the 34th minute he unnecessarily flicked his boot to catch Miranda as he chased the ball into Bologna’s half. A red card followed and O’Neill received a yellow card for protesting.
Auston Trusty doubles Celtic’s lead
Five minutes before the break, Celtic fans erupted into joy again when Arne Engels headed Kieran Tierney’s inswinging corner before Trusty hit the bar and into the net.
Tommaso Pobega’s header was saved by Schmeichel and Maeda sent a half-chance wide, but the second half quickly turned into an onslaught that was close to the Dane’s goal.
Schmeichel saved a header from Ferguson and a volley from Nicolo Casale, and Benjamin Dominguez’s shot hit the top of the bar.
In the 58th minute, after Jens Odgaard connected his header with a cross, Daringa found his way past Colby Donovan for a goal with six yards to go. That pressure paid off.
Jonathan Lowe equalizes for Bologna
Maeda was playing as a supplementary wing-back in preparation for Celtic’s defence, but the pressure was relentless. The equalizer came in the 72nd minute when former Norwich winger Lowe created space on the edge of the box, evaded substitute Benjamin Nygren and fired a shot past the stationary Schmeichel and into the roof of the net.
Celtic had a chance to break out of their shell and snatch an unlikely victory. Substitute Johnny Kenny forced a save and Liam Scales’ looping header was tipped over, but Maeda could have been launched on the counter-attack.
The hosts also had chances, with Schmeichel making saves from Riccardo Orsolini and Nicolo Cambiaghi.
‘wonderful’
Martin O’Neill (right) and Sean Maloney will remain Celtic managers until the end of the season
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill:
“The sending off had a big impact on the game and I thought we played a great game, looked decently dressed and played well.
“We should have been more careful when we saw it (the red card) coming back and grabbing the player’s leg.Obviously it put us in a bad position and we spent a lot of time defending.
“The effort put in, the desire shown, the way we defended the penalty box, the way we did it was really great.
“Bologna are a very good team and tonight they are aiming for three points to get into the top eight. For us it’s a different pattern because of the previous result, but what we did was give ourselves a chance to qualify. From that point of view I’m happy.”
“My own opinion is that if we had stayed with 11 players, we would have won the game.”
Regarding Auston Trusty’s performance, O’Neal said, “Trusty was great, as he was when I was here and I think he was before that, really great.
“I can’t praise him more than that. He’s been really great, as has the team. He and Liam Scales have been really great as a defensive duo while I’ve been here. My expectations are actually quite high.”
O’Neill revived Celtic beliefs
Sky Sports’ Adam Veidt at the Stadio Renato Dallara:
“It was a great game for Celtic, considering the circumstances, I can’t believe they dropped two points. Bologna gave it their all, but they defended very tenaciously, especially Trusty.”
“Coach O’Neill has instilled so much belief in his players that it’s hard to understand why this is the same team that was in decline not too long ago. They now have a real chance of reaching the knockout stages of the Europa League.”
“Obviously this game would have given them a lot going into that important game against Hearts at the weekend, but try telling that to the Celtic fans here in this stadium right now.”
