By Our Reporter in Bergen
SANTIAGO CASTRO was the hero in the frozen north as his clinical strike gave Bologna a massive 1-0 advantage in their Europa League play-off first leg against Brann.
In a clash where the stars had to shine bright to beat the Norwegian chill, the Argentine ace proved he was the hottest property on the pitch. It took just nine minutes for the Rossoblu to silence the 17,000-strong Brann Stadion crowd, and it was a moment of pure star quality.
Former Juventus man Federico Bernardeschi showed his veteran class, pouncing on a sloppy clearance to start the move.
He fed Niccolo Cambiaghi, whose “no-look” disguised pass sliced through the Brann backline like a hot knife through butter.
Castro did the rest, rifling a low, angled drive into the bottom corner that left keeper Mathias Dyngeland grasping at thin air.
While Castro grabbed the headlines, Bologna’s No. 1 Lukasz Skorupski was the star at the other end.
The Polish giant produced a miraculous double-save midway through the first half, clawing away Ulrik Mathisen’s goal-bound header before throwing his body on the line to block Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson on the rebound.
Brann threw everything at the Italians in the second half, but the Serie A side’s defensive stars held firm. Jhon Lucumi was a mountain at the back, winning every header to frustrate the Bergen boys.
ORSOLINI IMPACT
Bologna boss Vincenzo Italiano turned to more star power at the break, bringing on top scorer Riccardo Orsolini.
The Italy international nearly doubled the lead twice, forcing a smart stop at the near post before seeing a trademark curler whistle inches past the upright.
Brann, led by the industrious Felix Myhre, refused to lie down, but they lacked the clinical edge shown by their visitors.
The result leaves the Norwegians with a mountain to climb in next Thursday’s return leg at the Stadio Dall’Ara.
For Bologna, it was a professional “Italian Job” that proves they have the stars to go all the way to the final.
