Celtic 2-2 Bologna Player Ratings: Thrilling Comeback Secures a Remarkable Draw for The I Rossoblu

The Europa League clash at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara finished in a dramatic 2-2 draw, but the numbers only tell part of the story.

This was a match of two distinct halves, heavily influenced by a pivotal red card. Celtic started brightly, capitalising on their early dominance to race into a two-goal lead, controlling possession and tempo during the opening phase.

The visitors looked well on course for a statement away victory. However, the turning point arrived when Celtic were reduced to ten men, a moment that completely altered the rhythm of the contest. From that point on, territory and momentum swung firmly in Bologna’s favour.

The hosts increased the pressure after the interval, committing more bodies forward and pinning Celtic deep in their own half. Their persistence paid off as Bologna pulled one goal back before finding a spectacular equaliser in front of a roaring home crowd.

In the end, it was a high-intensity and absorbing draw that reflected two very different performances across 90 minutes.

Let’s take a look at Sportsdunia’s Bologna vs Celtic player ratings from the Europa League clash.

Key Takeaways

• Early dominance saw the visitors race into a two-goal lead and control the first half.
• Celtic going down to ten men flipped the momentum firmly in Bologna’s favour.
• Relentless second-half pressure earned the hosts a dramatic 2–2 draw.

Celtic Player Ratings vs Bologna

Here's a look at the Celtic Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Kasper Schmeichel - 7.5: We thought Schmeichel was fantastic despite conceding twice. He made a staggering seven saves, six from inside his own box, keeping his team in the game for vast periods. He was vocal, commanding, and could do little about the goals. His performance was a key reason Celtic escaped with a point. Without him, it could have been a much heavier defeat.

Defenders

Liam Scales - 7.0: A really solid and committed performance under immense pressure. What stood out to us was his 100% tackle success rate. He made nine crucial clearances and was a rock at the back as Bologna swarmed forward. He never hid and repeatedly put his body on the line. A proper defender's display.

Auston Trusty - 9.0: Our man of the match, without a doubt. This was a colossal performance from the American. He was an absolute giant, making 16 clearances, including one off the line. He won almost every aerial battle and capped it all off with a well-taken goal. A truly dominant display that deserved to be on the winning side.

Colby Donovan - 6.5: Had a very busy evening, which was expected given the circumstances. He contributed with 10 clearances and won a respectable 10 duels. At times, he looked stretched by Bologna's relentless attacks. But he stuck to his task diligently before being substituted late on.

Kieran Tierney - 6.5: Much like the rest of the backline, Tierney had his hands full all night. He made 12 clearances, showing his defensive focus. We didn't see his trademark overlapping runs, as he was pinned back for most of the game. A disciplined, if unspectacular, performance focused entirely on defending.

Midfielders

Hyun-jun Yang - 6.0: He started the match brightly, looking like a real threat and forcing a good save. As the game wore on and his team went down to 10 men, his influence waned significantly. He worked hard defensively but was sacrificed in the second half for fresh legs. A promising start that faded.

Sebastian Tounekti - 6.0: A quiet first half for the midfielder. He was neat and tidy in possession, completing all his passes, but failed to impose himself on the game. It wasn't a surprise to see him substituted at halftime as the manager looked to reshape the team. He didn't do much wrong, but didn't do much of note either.

Arne Engels - 7.5: One of Celtic's brightest sparks. He provided a brilliant assist for Trusty's goal from a corner. What impressed us was his creativity even when his team was on the back foot, creating three chances in total. He didn't neglect his defensive duties either, making it a great all-around display.

Reo Hatate - 5.0: The definition of a hero-to-zero performance. He scored a superb goal to give Celtic the lead. Then, in a moment of madness, he picked up two yellow cards in three minutes and was sent off. His dismissal completely altered the course of the match and put his teammates in an impossible position. A costly error.

Callum McGregor - 6.5: The captain fought tooth and nail in the middle of the park. It was a thankless task trying to control the midfield a man down. He won all his tackles and tried to drive his team forward when possible. A gutsy performance full of effort, even if the odds were stacked against him.

Forwards

Daizen Maeda - 7.0: A classic Daizen Maeda performance. He provided a clever assist for the opening goal. His work rate was phenomenal, chasing everything and making four successful tackles from the front. He earned a yellow card for his troubles, but his energy was infectious and crucial for his team.

Substitutes

Benjamin Nygren - 6.0: Came on at halftime but struggled to get into the game as Bologna dominated possession.

Johnny Kenny - 6.5: Looked lively after coming on and even forced a save from the keeper.

Anthony Ralston - N/A: Brought on late to help see out the game.

Manager

M. O'Neill - 7.0: His game plan was working perfectly until the red card. His team was 2-0 up and cruising. He was forced to adapt, and his side showed incredible resilience to defend for so long. He might be disappointed not to win, but a point away from home with ten men is a result he'll probably take.

Bologna Player Ratings vs Celtic

Let's have a look at the Bologna Player Rating.

Goalkeeper

Lukasz Skorupski - 6.0: From our perspective, this was a shaky night for the Bologna keeper. He was credited with an error leading to a goal and looked uncertain at times. While he made three saves inside the box, he never truly inspired confidence. He was fortunate his attacking teammates bailed him out of trouble in this game.

Defenders

Torbjørn Heggem - 7.0: A very composed and reliable performance at the back. He was excellent on the ball with 93% passing accuracy. He won most of his duels and gave very little away. A classy display that provided a stable base for his team's attacks.

Nicolò Casale - 7.5: We were really impressed with Casale's all-action game. He was defensively sound, winning all three of his tackles. But what stood out was his contribution going forward, creating three key passes. He was a constant threat before being substituted late in the game.

Nadir Zortea - 6.5: A very willing runner down the right flank. He was tasked with providing width and put in a remarkable 11 crosses. While his final ball was sometimes inconsistent, his relentless energy and intent caused problems for the Celtic defence all evening.

Juan Miranda - 7.0: Lived in the Celtic half, especially in the second period. His 106 touches and 18 crosses underline his massive involvement in the game. He was a primary attacking outlet for Bologna and drove his team forward with purpose. His yellow card was a minor blemish on an otherwise influential performance.

Midfielders

Tommaso Pobega - 6.5: A solid, if unspectacular, performance in the engine room. He kept things ticking over and was unlucky not to score, with one effort striking the crossbar. He did his job effectively before being taken off as the manager sought more attacking impetus.

Nikola Moro - 8.5: The conductor of the orchestra. He was absolutely superb. With 100 touches and an incredible seven key passes, he completely dictated the tempo of the game. Everything flowed through him, especially after Celtic went down to ten men. A masterful midfield performance.

Lewis Ferguson - 7.0: The captain led by example with a combative and energetic display. He was a force in the middle, winning seven duels and driving his team on. His physical presence was crucial in overwhelming Celtic's midfield. A true captain's knock.

Forwards

Jonathan Rowe - 8.0: Scored an absolute screamer to equalize for Bologna. It was a moment of pure quality that his performance deserved. Beyond the goal, he was a constant threat with his dribbling and desire to shoot. A match-winning contribution that rescued a point for his team.

Thijs Dallinga - 7.5: He got the crucial first goal that sparked the comeback. While he'll be kicking himself for missing two big chances, his persistence paid off. He was a physical handful for the Celtic defenders all night and his goal was a reward for his relentless effort.

Benja Domínguez - 6.5: A frustrating but dangerous performance. He was very involved, but often wasteful in possession. He hit the woodwork and created a big chance, so he was certainly unlucky. On another day, he could have had a goal and an assist.

Substitutes

Jens Odgaard - 7.5: Made a massive impact off the bench, providing the assist for Dallinga's goal just minutes after coming on.

Nicolò Cambiaghi - 6.0: Added energy but didn't have a decisive moment.

Riccardo Orsolini - 6.0: Brought on to provide a spark but was caught offside and couldn't find a breakthrough.

Charalampos Lykogiannis - N/A: A late substitute to see the game out.

Manager

V. Italiano - 7.5: His team looked dead and buried at 2-0 down. However, he deserves huge credit for his tactical switches and substitutions. Bringing on Jens Odgaard was a masterstroke that changed the game. He inspired a brilliant comeback and his side showed tremendous character.

Man of the Match

Auston Trusty of Celtic was Sportsdunia's man of the match.

Worst Performer

Reo Hatate was the worst performer was the worst performer in the Celtic vs Bologna clash.