In a thrilling Europa League final on Wednesday, Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman delivered a masterclass performance, securing a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen and shattering their ambitions of completing the season unbeaten. Lookman’s hat trick not only ended Leverkusen’s 51-game European unbeaten streak but also earned Atalanta their first top-level trophy in 61 years.
Leverkusen, the newly crowned German champions, were the favorites heading into the match, but they never found their rhythm against a relentless Atalanta side. The London-born Nigeria international Lookman was at his clinical best, exploiting Leverkusen’s defensive lapses to score twice in the first 26 minutes and sealing the win with a third goal in the 75th minute.
Lookman’s first goal came from a swift move down the right flank. Davide Zappacosta’s cross found Lookman unmarked at the far post, where he fired a rising shot past Leverkusen’s goalkeeper Matej Kovar. The second goal was a product of Leverkusen’s own mistakes. Amine Adli’s errant header back towards his own defense allowed Lookman to intercept, evade Granit Xhaka’s tackle, and curl a right-footed shot into the net.
Despite their reputation for late comebacks, Leverkusen struggled to create meaningful chances. Alex Grimaldo’s lob and Jeremie Frimpong’s volley both missed the mark, illustrating the team’s uncharacteristic lack of precision.
As the game progressed, Atalanta’s fans, though outnumbered by their German counterparts, dominated the atmosphere in Dublin’s 48,000-strong crowd. The Italian team’s physical and aggressive play disrupted Leverkusen’s usually fluid style, forcing mistakes and creating opportunities.
The defeat was a bitter pill for Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, who now faces the challenge of rallying his team for the German Cup final against second-tier Kaiserslautern. As the final whistle approached, Alonso, standing alone by the dugout, could only watch as Atalanta celebrated their historic win.
Alonso’s decision to start Exequiel Palacios over Robert Andrich in midfield backfired. Palacios, a 2022 World Cup winner with Argentina, was caught unaware for Lookman’s opening goal and failed to provide the stability Leverkusen needed.
On the other side, Atalanta’s veteran coach Gian Piero Gasperini, dressed warmly in a zipped-up black jacket, was animated and jubilant, dancing with his players and staff as they anticipated their victory.
In a post-match interview, Lookman reflected on his team’s triumph. “We knew we had to be at our best to beat a team like Leverkusen. Everyone played their part, and I’m just happy I could contribute with the goals. This is a moment we’ve all worked hard for, and it feels incredible.”
Leverkusen’s defeat, though disheartening, doesn’t overshadow their impressive season. However, their dream of an unbeaten European campaign ending in a trio of titles remains unfulfilled.
Atalanta’s victory is a testament to the club’s strategic planning. Operating on a modest budget, they have built a team capable of competing with Europe’s elite. Gasperini’s tactical acumen and the players’ dedication have brought them a long-awaited success, marking a significant chapter in the club’s history.
As the dust settles, Atalanta will celebrate their remarkable achievement, while Leverkusen will have to regroup and focus on their upcoming domestic final.
