Bologna vs Celtic: Key Player

Jonathan Rowe vs Celtic — Match Stats & Scouting Notes

For Illustration Purpose Only

UEFA Europa League | Bologna 2–2 Celtic | 22 Jan 2026

⏱ Minutes: 90
⚽ Goals: 1 (72’)
🎯 Shots on target: 1
📊 xG: ~0.16
⚽ Total shots: 1
🧠 Role: Right winger / inverted attacker
🔥 Key impact: Equaliser & constant attacking threat

Bologna dominated the game with heavy attacking volume and territorial control, and Rowe was one of the main catalysts of their comeback.

Tactical & Performance Profile

• Direct threat: Constant menace on the right flank, repeatedly destabilising Celtic’s defensive structure with dribbles and movement.
• Ball-striking quality: Executed a sharp stepover before unleashing a ferocious strike under the bar — elite technical execution under pressure.
• Off-ball intelligence: Timed positioning well in second-phase situations (corner rebound scenario leading to goal).
• Game-changing presence: Provided the decisive attacking spark that completed Bologna’s comeback after sustained pressure.

Match outcome: Bologna 2–2 Celtic (Stadio Renato Dall’Ara) — Bologna recovered from 0–2 down; Rowe’s contribution pivotal in the comeback.

Goal & Decisive Moment

• Goal (72′) – Rowe picked up the ball at the edge of the box, created separation with a sharp dribble and smashed a left-footed shot high into the net, beating Schmeichel — Bologna’s equaliser and Rowe’s first goal in European competition.

Offensive Output

• Shots: Several attempts — including his goal strike — forcing Celtic into defensive realignment.
• Shot quality: High — his goal came from outside the box under pressure, showcasing shooting technique and spatial awareness.
• Goal contribution: 1 goal, 1 decisive offensive action — directly influencing the outcome and points gained.

In-Game Influence & Mechanics

• Positioning: Operated primarily on the right channel, drifting inside to link play and drag Celtic defenders out of shape.
• Ball progression: Initiated several build-up sequences; incisive touches disrupted Celtic’s mid-block.
• Link play: Effective in combination with wingers and midfield rotations, creating overloads after Celtic went down to 10 men.

Match Context & Team Metrics

• Possession dominance: Bologna ~71% possession, indicating sustained pressure where Rowe thrived in transitional phases.
• Total shots: Bologna 36 attempts vs. Celtic’s 8 — Rowe’s offensive role was integral within this high-pressure pattern.
• Corners: Bologna 16 (vs Celtic 2) — Rowe was active in set-play sequences and second-ball scenarios.

Tactical Takeaways

• Frame of play: After Celtic were reduced to ten men, Rowe’s pace + vision allowed Bologna to stretch the pitch horizontally and vertically, crucial for creating the quantifiable advantage reflected in expected goals (xG) pressure.
• Game state adaptation: Rowe sensed space in the half-space between Celtic’s compact defensive lines — his equaliser came from exploiting that niche.
• Efficiency over volume: Rowe didn’t need prolific volume — his singular high-value action was decisive, underlining the premium on impact per involvement.

Summary

Jonathan Rowe’s performance against Celtic combined situational intelligence, spatial exploitation and decisive execution. In a match where Bologna dominated possession and chances, his equaliser epitomised high-leverage contributions — a statistically modest yet tactically substantial intervention that swung a likely loss into a draw.