Bologna FC vs Celtic F.C. Lineups: Confirmed XI & Subs

When the confirmed lineups dropped for this Europa League fixture, they told a clearer story than any preview could. Lukasz Skorupski returned between the posts for Bologna after more than two months out, while Celtic handed the gloves to Kasper Schmeichel for the trip to the Renato Dall’Ara. What followed was a 2-2 draw where the match swung on goals, a red card, and a late fightback. Here is everything confirmed from the pitch.

Match Date: 22 Jan 2026 · Competition: UEFA Europa League · Bologna GK: L Skorupski · Celtic Subs Include: Sinisalo, Nygren, Paulo Bernardo · Venue: Bologna home

Bologna FC vs Celtic F.C. Lineups

Bologna Starting XI

Bologna lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with Lukasz Skorupski returning in goal after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The confirmed XI reads: Skorupski; Zortea, Casale, Heggem, Miranda; Moro, Ferguson (captain), Pobega; Rowe, Dallinga, Domínguez. Lewis Ferguson captained the side from midfield.

The defence featured Giovanni Zortea and former Serie A defender Casale anchoring the back four, with Heggem and Miranda occupying the full-back positions. Pre-match reports had suggested Odgaard might start, but Pobega ultimately won the midfield berth alongside Moro and Ferguson.

• Goalkeeper: Lukasz Skorupski (returned after missing Bologna’s last ten matches)
• Defence: Zortea, Casale, Heggem, Miranda
• Midfield: Moro, Ferguson (c), Pobega
• Attack: Rowe, Dallinga, Domínguez

Football Italia reported before kick-off that Skorupski was primed to return after sustaining an injury against Napoli in early November 2025.

Celtic Starting XI

Celtic arrived at the Renato Dall’Ara with Kasper Schmeichel between the posts. The confirmed starting XI: Schmeichel; Donovan, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; Engels, McGregor (captain); Yang, Hatate, Tounekti, Maeda. Callum McGregor captained the side from central midfield.

The right-back position saw Justin Donovan get the nod ahead of Araujo, who had featured in pre-match probable lineups. Trusty, the American defender, started alongside Liam Scales at centre-back. Engels operated in a box-to-box role alongside McGregor in the middle.

• Goalkeeper: Kasper Schmeichel
• Defence: Donovan, Trusty, Scales, Tierney
• Midfield: Engels, McGregor (c)
• Attack: Yang, Hatate, Tounekti, Maeda

The Celtic FC official site confirmed the starting XI, listing Schmeichel, Donovan, Trusty, Scales, Tierney, McGregor, Engels, Hatate, Yang, Maeda, and Tounekti.

Bench Players

Bologna’s bench included Ravaglia (GK), Pessina, Holm, Orsolini, Odgaard, Lykogiannis, Cambiaghi, Vitik, Baroncioni, Lai, Castaldo, and Negri. Celtic’s substitutes listed by UEFA included Sinisalo (GK), Doohan (GK), Nygren, Balikwisha, McCowan, Kenny, Paulo Bernardo, Murray, Ralston, and Isiguzo.

The substitute goalkeepers proved relevant when Nygren entered the pitch at half-time. Paulo Bernardo and Kenny also saw action in the second half as Celtic managed the game with ten men.

Is Celtic vs Bologna on TV?

Yes. TNT Sports held the broadcast rights for UK viewers, with the match also available on discovery+ for streaming subscribers. Celtic TV provided coverage for international subscribers outside the UK.

Broadcast Channels

The fixture aired on TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport), which holds rights to UEFA Europa League matches in the United Kingdom. Discovery+ serves as the streaming home for TNT Sports content, allowing viewers to watch live and on-demand.

Streaming Options

Discovery+ offers both monthly and annual subscription tiers. The platform streams in high definition with match replays available post-kickoff. Celtic TV, the club’s official subscription service, provided an alternative for fans outside the UK seeking dedicated club commentary.

How to Watch Bologna v Celtic

Kick-off was scheduled for 17:45 GMT (5:45pm local time) on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the Renato Dall’Ara stadium in Bologna. The venue welcomed 23,791 supporters for the Europa League Round 7 league phase fixture.

TV Guide

For UK viewers, TNT Sports listed the match in its Thursday Europa League programming block. The 17:45 GMT kick-off time meant an early evening slot for British audiences.discovery+ subscribers could stream via the app on smart TVs, mobile devices, and web browsers.

Live Stream Details

Discovery+ requires an active subscription. New subscribers may have been eligible for a trial or promotional offer depending on the platform’s current terms. Celtic TV offered its own stream with club-focused commentary and analysis.

Bologna vs Celtic Stats and Timeline

The match produced four goals across 90 minutes, with Celtic initially taking control before Bologna fought back to share the points. The game’s trajectory shifted decisively when Reo Hatate was sent off after scoring in the fifth minute.

Match Timeline

Key Stats

The 2-2 final score reflected an even contest on Expected Goals metrics, though Celtic had dominated the first half before the red card altered the dynamics. Engels provided the assist for Trusty’s header at the 40th minute, demonstrating Celtic’s set-piece threat even with ten men.

• Final Score: Bologna 2-2 Celtic
• Venue: Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna
• Attendance: 23,791
• Referee: Vasilis Fotias (Greece)
• VAR: van Driessche

The referee, Vasilis Fotias from Greece, officiated his first major Europa League fixture of the season. His assistants were Tsakalidis and Evangelou, with van Driessche serving as VAR.

Key Players to Watch

Several individuals shaped the outcome of this match. Trusty’s goal kept Celtic in the game during a period of growing Bologna pressure, while Dallinga’s strike launched Bologna’s fightback. The substitutes who entered the pitch after half-time also played defining roles.

Trusty and Hatate: Celtic’s First-Half Drivers

Cameron Trusty, the American centre-back, rose to head home from an Engels corner at the 40th minute. The goal gave Celtic a 2-0 buffer against the run of play, as Bologna had begun controlling midfield before the strike. Engels’ delivery from the right side caught Bologna’s defensive line out of position.

Reo Hatate scored at the fifth minute to give Celtic an early lead but was sent off in the 34th minute for reasons not yet detailed in official reports. Despite the early exit, his goal proved pivotal—Bologna never fully recovered their defensive shape after the red card altered Celtic’s approach.

Dallinga and Rowe: Bologna’s Fightback

Thijs Dallinga gave Bologna their first goal at the 58th minute, finishing from close range after Odgaard’s cutback. Odgaard had only been on the pitch for two minutes when he delivered the assist, having replaced Pobega at the 56th minute. The substitute’s immediate impact highlighted Bologna’s tactical adjustment.

Samuel Romeo Rowe equalised at the 72nd minute, completing the fightback. Rowe had operated as a right winger in the 4-3-3 setup and found space in the box when Bologna pushed bodies forward in the final quarter. The goal rewarded Bologna’s territorial dominance after going down to ten men.

Clarity Section

Quotes

Pre-match reports indicate that Lukasz Skorupski is primed to return in goal. The Pole has not featured for the Rossoblu since sustaining an injury against Napoli in early November.

Football Italia (Serie A specialist outlet)

Celtic have confirmed their starting XI for tonight’s Europa League trip to face Bologna, with Martin O’Neill naming his team.

Celts Are Here (Celtic fan community)

Football Italia’s pre-match report correctly identified Skorupski’s return after a two-month absence. The fan site confirmation aligned with the official Celtic announcement, though the reference to Martin O’Neill as Celtic’s manager appears to be outdated—the current Celtic manager was not confirmed in primary sources for this article.

Summary

The confirmed lineups for this Europa League fixture showed Bologna’s tactical willingness to start Pobega over Odgaard, while Celtic opted for Donovan at right-back despite pre-match speculation. The red card to Hatate at the 34th minute reshaped what should have been a straightforward contest for Celtic, leaving them defending for the majority of the second half with ten men. For Bologna, Skorupski’s return proved symbolic—the Polish goalkeeper had been absent since November and his presence stabilised a defence that conceded twice regardless. For Celtic supporters, the performance raises questions about game management with ten men, as the 2-2 scoreline reflected a match they led 2-0 and controlled for large stretches before the dismissal. The fixture confirmed that UEFA Europa League Round 7 league phase continues to deliver unpredictable contests as both clubs navigate the knockout race.

Related reading: Leeds United vs Aston Villa · Bodø/Glimt Standings

Bologna’s defensive setup with Skorupski echoes their resilient approach in the Europa League clash with Aston Villa, setting the stage for this 2-2 draw.

Frequently asked questions