Bologna’s Jens Odgaard Explains Bizarre Neck Mark as Fans Express Concern

Football fans have expressed concern for Jens Odgaard after the Bologna forward was seen with a bizarre mark on the back of his neck during Saturday’s Serie A clash with Venezia. Bologna won the match 1-0 thanks to Riccardo Orsolini’s 49th-minute goal, but it was Odgaard who found himself going viral on social media during the game.

The reaction from fans online, per The Sun, included: “What is that thing? A zombie bite?” and “Is that a tattoo or a shark bite on the back of Jens Odgaard’s neck?”.

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Odgaard Explains Neck Mark

Dane insists it’s nothing for fans to worry about

As puzzled fans tried to work out what the painful-looking bright red ring on Odgaard’s neck was, the man himself took to Instagram after the match to explain the situation. The 26-year-old wrote next to a smiling emoticon: “It’s just a medicine I’m using for my neck, nothing serious.”

“Good to know,” one fan responded. “You had us worried for a while. There were some crazy theories floating around.”

Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo add that Odgaard’s mark is the result of medical therapy that the Serie A player is undergoing for a dermatological problem. Due to the pills that the Dane is taking, the report claims, the strange red mark has subsequently appeared.

The mark on his neck didn’t prevent Odgaard from playing the full 90 minutes for Bologna, who currently sit fourth in the Serie A table following their narrow victory against Venezia. While a title challenge appears unlikely with only eight games remaining, a top-four finish would still be a superb achievement from Odgaard and his teammates.

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Odgaard has featured in 25 of Bologna’s 30 league matches this season, scoring six goals and registering two assists. He also featured in five of the Italian club’s Champions League league phase matches but was unable to drag his side through to the knockout stages.

Odgaard has been with Bologna since 2024, joining the club on a permanent contract deal last summer following an initial loan spell. The former Denmark Under-21 international also spent time with Inter Milan earlier in his career but struggled to force his way into the Nerazzurri’s first team.