Europa League: Bologna Dare To Dream Before Roma Break Rossoblu Hearts
Roma have made it through to the last 16 while Bologna must navigate the playoffs.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Updated on 29 January 2026
Europa League matchday eight produced what could have been a huge twist involving Italian Serie A sides Roma and Bologna.
Both Roma and Bologna were guaranteed at least a play-off place, but there was also the opportunity to seal automatic qualification to the last 16.
And for around 18 minutes, eighth place belonged to Bologna, who made light work of Maccabi Tel Aviv with a 3-0 win in Serbia.
Meanwhile, Roma fans were sweating after Rafa Benitez’s Panathinaikos took the lead against the Giallorossi.
However, Gian Piero Gasperini’s charges then equalised in Greece and did just enough to claim the last automatic qualification spot.
Europa League: Roma pip Bologna to eighth place as Rossoblu must settle for playoffs
Roma and Bologna both played away in the final Europa League matchday, and both needed some time to get off the mark.
Jonathan Rowe opened the scoring for Bologna in the 35th minute, before Riccardo Orsolini doubled the lead on 47 minutes.
Maccabi Tel Aviv have endured a woeful Europa League campaign and had sacked coach Zarko Lazetic the day before the Bologna game.
Although Roma held on to a top-eight spot at 0-0, they played most of the game a man down after Gianluca Mancini was sent off in the 15th minute.
In addition, Paulo Dybala missed the game due to a knee issue he picked up in training.
Then, a mistake at the back in the 58th minute led to Vicente Taborda getting the breakthrough goal for Panathinaikos.
The Giallorossi’s concession meant Bologna snuck into the top eight, ahead of their Serie A rivals on goal difference.
For close to 20 minutes, Rossoblu fans could dream of a guaranteed spot in the last 16. However, Roma had other ideas.
ROMA AGLI OTTAVI, BOLOGNA AI PLAYOFF DI EUROPA LEAGUE 🔥💪🏻
La Roma pareggia 1-1 e resta tra le prime 8. Il Bologna sfiora il traguardo, vince la sua gara ma chiude al 10° posto in classifica ed è costretto a passare dai playoff#Calcio #EuropaLeague #Roma #Bologna pic.twitter.com/1Kktq8JF8c
— Eurosport IT (@Eurosport_IT) January 29, 2026
On 80 minutes, Niccolo Pisilli’s cross was flicked on by a defender and Jan Ziolkowski struck with a diving header.
And in the end, that Ziolkowski goal was enough for Roma to finish on 16 points.
Meanwhile, Bologna – who added a third through a late Tommaso Pobega penalty – had to settle for 15 points.
Europa League: What next for Roma and Bologna
Roma can put the Europa League on the backburner until late February, when they find out their last-16 fate.
Meanwhile, Bologna don’t have as long to find out who they will play in the playoffs.
The draw for the 2025/26 Europa League playoffs will take place on Friday, January 30.
As Bologna are 10th in the table, they will face either 23rd-placed Dinamo Zagreb or 24th-placed Brann.
Meanwhile, the last-16 draw is to take place on Friday, February 27.
If Bologna make it through, they will be up against either Freiburg or Roma.
Vincenzo Italiano’s charges would therefore be able to exact some revenge on the Giallorossi.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte is a sports journalist with over a decade of professional experience in the industry. His main professional expertise is in soccer. Prior to joining FootItalia, he worked for the likes of Sports Mole, TBR Football, the Chelsea Chronicle and numerous other sites, along with having bylines in the likes of the Nottingham Post. He holds degrees in Journalism and International Relations.
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