Unlike what happened in the Champions League play-offs , Bologna and Fiorentina did not disappoint expectations, conquering their respective opposing strongholds and putting themselves in an advantageous position ahead of the return matches scheduled for Thursday 26 February .
In the first leg of the Europa League playoffs, Vincenzo Italiano relied on the usual Santiago Castro , fresh from three goals in his last three games, to defeat Norwegian side Sportsklubben Brann . Ready, go, and it was the Rossoblu number 9 who broke the deadlock, with a splendid low diagonal shot that found the far post of Matias Dyngeland 's goal.
Bologna, however, had to contend with a reaction from the home side. In the 26th minute, a superb Skorupski save was needed to salvage the result, and the Rossoblu's number one stole the show, turning Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson 's tap-in into a corner just meters from goal. From that moment on, Bologna regained control of the match, but were unable to find a second goal. The match in Bergen ended 0-1, with the Emilians playing for qualification at the Dall'Ara, where they haven't won since December 4th (2-1 against Parma in the Coppa Italia).
It was a completely different story in the match at the Chorten Arena, home of Polish side Jagiellonia Bialistocco , where Fiorentina took 53 minutes to break the deadlock. Captain Ranieri 's header, which blocked Fazzini 's cross from the left, with the help of Polish goalkeeper Abramowicz , gave the Viola the lead.
After the hosts' momentary equalizer was ruled out for offside, a free kick from leader Rolando Mandragora gave coach Vanoli a sigh of relief. A powerful left-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area had only one possible destination: the top corner. The final blow came with 10 minutes remaining when Roberto Piccoli first earned the lead and then, with remarkable composure, converted the penalty, sealing the score at 0-3 and making the Franchi's return leg seem like a mere formality.
(Unioneonline/ ns)