The UEFA Europa League knockout round playoff delivered another decisive evening on February 26, as three teams confirmed their places in the round of 16 with minimal drama. VfB Stuttgart, Bologna and Celta de Vigo each carried commanding first-leg advantages into their home ties, and all three managed proceedings with the composure of sides who knew the hard work had already been done. Across three different venues, the night served as a reminder that European football can sometimes be settled long before the final whistle.
At the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Stuttgart, Celtic gave themselves a fleeting moment of hope when McCowan found the net inside two minutes. The early goal briefly raised the possibility of a remarkable comeback, but Stuttgart, holding a 4-1 lead from the first leg in Glasgow, never looked seriously troubled. The German side absorbed the early pressure and gradually reasserted control, content to manage the tempo rather than chase further goals. A Stuttgart effort from Undav was ruled out by VAR in the 75th minute, but it mattered little. Despite losing 1-0 on the night, Stuttgart advanced 4-2 on aggregate, their three-goal cushion proving far too large for Celtic to overcome.
In Bologna, the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara hosted a match that effectively ended as a contest before half-time. Brann, already trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Norway, saw their task become near-impossible when Sørensen received a red card in the 40th minute. Reduced to ten men and needing at least two goals, the Norwegian side had no realistic path back into the tie. Bologna took full advantage after the break, with Joao Mario converting in the 58th minute to double their aggregate lead. The Italian side controlled possession throughout the second half and never gave Brann a sniff of a comeback. Bologna progressed 2-0 on aggregate, qualifying for the last 16 with a thoroughly professional performance across both legs.
The final match of the trio saw Celta de Vigo welcome PAOK to the Balaidos in Vigo, where the Spanish side sought to finish what they had started with an impressive 2-1 away victory in Thessaloniki. Iago Aspas and Williot Swedberg had both scored in Greece during the first leg, giving Celta a valuable advantage heading into the return fixture. It was Swedberg who once again proved decisive, scoring in the 63rd minute to put the tie firmly beyond doubt. The young Swedish midfielder has emerged as a key figure in Celta's European campaign, and his goal sealed a 3-1 aggregate triumph. Remarkably, this represented Celta de Vigo's sixth consecutive victory over Greek opposition in European competition, a record that underlines their growing pedigree on the continental stage.
The three results underline a broader trend in this season's Europa League: teams that build substantial first-leg advantages rarely squander them. Stuttgart's four-goal haul in Glasgow, Bologna's disciplined away win in Bergen, and Celta's clinical performance in Thessaloniki each laid foundations that proved unshakeable. In an era when aggregate ties can sometimes produce dramatic turnarounds, these three matches instead showcased the value of taking care of business early and managing what remains.
With these victories confirmed, Stuttgart, Bologna and Celta de Vigo now turn their attention to the Europa League round of 16 draw, where they will join the competition's top seeds. All three will fancy their chances of making a deep run in the tournament. Stuttgart bring Bundesliga pedigree and a potent attack, Bologna carry the momentum of Italian tactical discipline, and Celta de Vigo boast the experience of Iago Aspas alongside the emerging talent of Swedberg. The road to the final in Bilbao continues, and these three sides have earned their right to walk it.
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