European football fans were treated to a night of high drama and tense emotions on February 26, 2026, as the UEFA Europa League and Conference League play-off second legs delivered plenty of storylines. Italian clubs, in particular, found themselves at the heart of the action, with both Bologna and Fiorentina battling for spots in the Round of 16. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace’s rollercoaster season took another twist as they edged past Zrinjski Mostar in the Conference League. Let’s dive into the details of a night that won’t soon be forgotten.
At the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara in Bologna, the home side entered their Europa League tie against Norway’s SK Brann with a slender 1-0 lead from the first leg. The stakes were high, and the tension was palpable from the opening whistle. Early on, both teams pressed hard, but it was Bologna who found the breakthrough. Joao Mario, who arrived from Juventus in January, scored his first goal for the club with a composed half-volley into the near bottom corner from 14 yards out. The goal came after a flurry of attacking moves down the left, with Rowe’s pull-back taking a fortunate deflection before falling to Joao Mario. His clinical finish sent the home crowd into raptures and put Bologna firmly in the driver’s seat.
SK Brann’s hopes of a comeback were further dashed by an early red card, leaving the Norwegian side with a mountain to climb. Bologna, sensing blood, continued to press forward, with Dominguez and Orsolini both coming close to doubling the lead. The visitors, however, defended valiantly, blocking shots and clearing their lines under relentless pressure. Brann made several substitutions in a bid to turn the tide, but Bologna’s defense held firm, with goalkeeper Skorupski—recently back from a serious injury—commanding his area with authority.
As the clock ticked down, Bologna fans grew increasingly vocal, urging their team to see out the result. Four minutes of added time only heightened the nerves, but the Italian side managed the closing stages with composure. When the final whistle blew, Bologna had secured a 1-0 victory on the night and a 2-0 aggregate triumph, booking their place in the Europa League Round of 16. The result marked their fourth consecutive win in all competitions, a testament to the squad’s growing confidence and cohesion under manager Vincenzo Italiano.
“It is a great victory, we dedicate it to all these wonderful fans, and it is our fourth consecutive win, so we are very happy,” said Skorupski to Sky Sport Italia. Reflecting on his return from injury, he added, “I had a serious injury three months ago, but it is behind me now, I showed today that I am back to full fitness, and the important thing was to keep going in the Europa League.” Manager Vincenzo Italiano echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that Bologna “did enough over the two games” to deserve their progression. With the draw for the next round scheduled for February 27, Bologna will soon discover whether they face domestic rivals Roma or Germany’s Freiburg in the Round of 16.
Elsewhere in Italy, Fiorentina hosted Jagiellonia Bialystok at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence, aiming to build on their 3-0 first-leg advantage in the UEFA Conference League. On paper, the tie looked all but settled, with Fiorentina’s recent form—including an impressive 2-1 away win at Como and only three losses in eleven matches in 2026—suggesting a routine passage to the next round. The official lineups saw Lezzerini in goal, with Fortini, Comuzzo, Pongracic, and Gosens in defense, and a midfield anchored by Ndour, Mandragora, and Fabbian. Up front, Dodo, Piccoli, and Fazzini led the line, while Jagiellonia fielded a determined side featuring Abramowicz, Wojtuszek, Vital, Pelmard, and Wdowik among others.
However, football rarely follows the script, and Fiorentina’s evening quickly turned into a nerve-racking ordeal. Despite their aggregate lead, the Viola were outplayed for much of the match, with Jagiellonia mounting a spirited comeback. The Polish side managed to overturn the deficit, winning the second leg 4-2 after 90 minutes, thanks in large part to a hat-trick from Bartosz Mazurek. The aggregate score was level at 4-4, and extra time beckoned.
In the ensuing 30 minutes, Fiorentina finally found their footing. Substitutes Nicolò Fagioli and an own goal during extra time provided the lifeline they desperately needed, allowing the Italians to scrape through 5-4 on aggregate. Yet the performance left much to be desired. As reported by GIFN, “the performance was, by all accounts, a massive failure in terms of quality and composure.” Despite several key players appearing fresh, Fiorentina lacked the cohesion and clinical edge expected at this level. Their struggles have raised serious questions about the team’s mental fortitude and readiness for the challenges ahead in Europe’s third-tier competition.
While Fiorentina’s fans may have breathed a sigh of relief, the mood was far from celebratory. For a club with their European pedigree, needing 120 minutes to dispatch Jagiellonia is being viewed as a significant step backward. The draw for the next round, scheduled for February 27 at 14:00 CET, will reveal their next opponent, but the Viola will need a marked improvement if they hope to progress further.
Meanwhile, over in England, Crystal Palace continued their maiden European campaign with a dramatic win over Zrinjski Mostar. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Bosnia and Herzegovina, all eyes were on Selhurst Park for the decider. Palace’s season has been tumultuous, with calls for manager Oliver Glasner’s sacking echoing after the first leg. Yet, on this night, the Eagles found the resolve they needed. Maxence Lacroix opened the scoring with a header from Adam Wharton’s pinpoint free-kick, and Evann Guessand sealed the victory with a late goal, sending Palace through to the Round of 16 where they will face either Larnaca or Mainz.
The Conference League also saw other notable results: Lech Poznan, Rijeka, Celje, and Samsunspor all advanced from their respective ties, while the draw for the next round promises more intriguing matchups. The road to the final in Leipzig on May 27 is heating up, with quarterfinals set for April 9 and 16, and semifinals on April 30 and May 7.
As the dust settles on a dramatic night, Italian football can celebrate having four teams still alive in European competition: Atalanta in the Champions League, Roma and Bologna in the Europa League, and Fiorentina in the Conference League. But for Fiorentina, in particular, the hard work is just beginning. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see if the Viola can rise to the occasion—or if more anxious nights await.