Brann and Bologna have met once before in European action, drawing 0-0 in the UEFA Europa League this season. Prior to that match, Brann had lost their two prior major European fixtures against Italian sides, losing both legs (0-2 home, 0-1 away) to Sampdoria in the first round of the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1989-90.
Bologna have never conceded a goal against Norwegian opposition in European action, winning 2-0 over two legs versus Lyn in the Fairs Cup first round in 1967-68 before drawing 0-0 with Brann back in November.
This is Brann’s first knockout tie in major European competition since losing 3-2 on penalties to Deportivo de La Coruña in the first round of the 2008-09 UEFA Cup after the pair drew 2-2 on aggregate.
Bologna last played a major European knockout tie in 1999-2000 when they were defeated 3-2 in the UEFA Cup round of 32 by Galatasaray. Overall, they’ve lost four of their last six away games in the knockout rounds of European competition (W1 D1).
During the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League group phase, Brann’s Jacob Sørensen won the joint-most duels of any player (62) and ranked joint-second for aerial duels won (31).