Bayer Leverkusen ended up faltering, after a historic series of 51 games without defeat. This Wednesday, in the final of the Europa League, he fell against Atalanta Bergamo, a playful team, in his image. The Italians, led by a formidable Ademola Lookman, won 3-0 and won their first title since 1963.
The Transalpines were able to count on the flashes of their 26-year-old Nigerian winger to obtain this victory with panache. The former Leicester or Leipzig striker scored a hat-trick, including a fantastic second goal, to lead Atalanta straight to the Grail.
Ademola Lookman struck for the first time in the 12th minute. After a great collective action from the Dea, the Nigerian took a cross from Teun Koopmeiners at the far post, with one touch. His masterpiece took place in the 26th minute: he grabbed the ball in the last third of the field, then eliminated Granit Bayer net, from the entrance to the area.
Ademola Lookman’s third goal, in the 75th minute, was also sensational. Served on the left side of the area by Gianluca Scamacca, he eliminated Edmond Tapsoba after a leg pass and fired a left-footed cross shot into the top corner. This is the sixth hat-trick scored by a player in the final of a major European competition, according to Opta.
6 – Ademola Lookman scored the 6th hat-trick in the final of a major European competition, the 1st since that of Jupp Heynckes for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the 1975 UEFA Cup. Hats off. #ATAB04 pic.twitter.com/1GYUPVmwlw
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) May 22, 2024
Hampered by the intense pressing of Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta Bergamo, Bayer Leverkusen has finally found an opponent worthy of it this season. The Italians, whose style of play has several similarities with that of the Germans, notably in their willingness to take risks, were rewarded for their ambitious philosophy.
Atalanta, fifth in Serie A and already qualified for the next Champions League before this match, had not won a trophy since the 1963 Italian Cup. Before reaching the final of this Europa League, they had eliminated Liverpool in the quarter-final, then Olympique de Marseille in the semi-final. After a draw at the Vélodrome (1-1), the Phocéens were corrected in Bergamo (3-0).
For its part, Bayer Leverkusen failed in its quest for a formidable treble, but also in finishing its season undefeated. Already German champion, he will still have the opportunity to win a second title this season, this Saturday, in the final of the national cup against Kaiserslautern.
