Bayer Leverkusen vs. Atalanta: Clash of Titans in Europa League Final

Ademola celebrates his first goal and Matteo Ruggeri, Ederson and Sead Kolasinac approach (REUTERS/Paul Childs)

The current situation of European football is experiencing a moment of maximum expectation. This year, the Europa League final features two teams that, although with different trajectories, arrive in Dublin with the ambition of leaving an indelible mark. Bayer Leverkusen, under the direction of the Spanish Xabi Alonso, and Atalanta, led by Gian Piero Gasperini, seek to write new chapters in their respective history books.

The start was blocked and after a few minutes in which they measured each other, Atalanta was more incisive with Ederson Silva who was dangerous on the left wing. The Italians began to play more time in the rival field until they were able to break the zero.

The first goal came in the 12th minute after a cross that came from the right from Davide Zappacosta and Ademola Lookman appeared and scored to make it 1-0.

* Atalanta’s first goal

While Bayern Leverkusen was surpassed in the first leg in the midfield battle. This prevented Argentine Exequiel Palacios from being able to make contact with the ball and help in generating play. There, Atalanta was firmer with divided balls and quick exits.

The Italians were not satisfied and went for more. Their midfielders continued to play close to the rival area and in the 26th minute the Germans lost the ball after a trip by their goalkeeper and it was captured by Lookman, who faced up, threw a shot at Granit left. It was a great goal.

* The second goal for the Italians

Bayern Leverkusen reacted in the last part of the first half and Xhaka and Palacios began to get more contact with the ball. They sought to leave some of their teammates alone with the Argentine goalkeeper Juan Musso, as in one that Florian Wirtz after the Swiss midfielder was enabled.

The Germans reach this stage after an impressive streak. With 51 unbeaten games, a Bundesliga win and the dream of achieving a treble on their emblematic 120th anniversary, the red and black team are in the Irish capital as the big favorites. The team’s season has been outstanding, dominating both the domestic league and European competitions, establishing itself as a revelation in continental football. Xabi Alonso, coach and strategist, has all the members of his squad available for this crucial match, which further increases expectations about his performance on the field.

Opposite is Atalanta, who are playing in their first European final. The Bergamo team had a season to remember, managing to qualify for the Champions League again and fighting until the last minute in the Italian Cup. With the Belgian Charles De Ketelaere and the Italian Gianluca Scamacca as key players, the Italian team will seek to break Bayer’s unbeaten streak and take home its first European title. The victory over Liverpool in the quarterfinals underlines their ability to face great challenges and fuel the hope of their fans.

The duel between these two teams is presented as a clash of forces and styles. Leverkusen, well established in its tactical structure, has shown a solid and versatile game under Alonso’s command. The German team’s ability to adapt to different game situations has been one of the pillars of its success this season. The midfield, led by talented and tactically rigorous players, has been able to control the timing and rhythm of the match, allowing its attackers to deploy their full offensive potential.

For its part, Atalanta has stood out for its dynamism and capacity for surprise. Under the direction of Gasperini, the team has been able to reinvent itself and surprise its opponents with daring and dizzying football. The absence of the Dutchman Marten de Roon, one of the pillars of the team, due to an injury suffered in the Italian Cup final, poses an additional challenge. However, Gasperini trusts in his gala eleven to play this momentous match, betting on a tactical scheme that has given good results throughout the season.

The Aviva Stadium in Dublin will be the scene of this duel. Although in their last clashes in the round of 16 of the 2022 Europa League, it was Atalanta who took the win, a lot has changed since then. Leverkusen consolidated its position as one of the strongest teams in Europe, and Atalanta, for its part, showed that it can surprise and beat any team in any scenario.

HOUR:

13.00 Mexico City.

14.00 Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Miami (United States).

15.00 Bolivia and Venezuela.

16.00 Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile and Brazil.

TV: ESPN / Star+ / DGO

Stadium: Aviva Stadium

ARBITRATOR: István Kovács (Romania)

2024-05-22 19:34:02
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