Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta went against each other in the final of the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League in Dublin, Ireland. The occasion attracted the attention of the whole soccer community who were eager to witness the exciting encounter. In the end, Atalanta came out on top with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over the Germans thanks to a wonderful hattrick by Ademola Lookman.
ATALANTA HAVE DONE IT! ⚫️🔵#UELfinal pic.twitter.com/d6Tw1L3IcD
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 22, 2024
History has been made for Gasperini’s side as they became the first-ever Italian team to lift the UEFA Europa League crown. Just a week after losing the Coppa Italia final to Juventus, Atalanta fans would be filled with joy and zeal in seeing their beloved club lift a piece of silverware for the first time in 13 long years.
On the other hand, Bayer Leverkusen saw their glorious undefeated run of 51 matches finally come to an end. Xabi Alonso has led a remarkable campaign with his side breaking all sorts of records along the way. A defeat in a European final will surely be a bitter pill to swallow for the Bundesliga champions but they will shift their focus now to ending the season by winning the DFB-Pokal final later this week.
Ademola Lookman turns out to be the hero for Atalanta
Gian Piero Gasperini has attracted plaudits throughout his managerial career for his ability to coach attacking soccer with a high tendency to score goals. Consequently, several forwards have thrived under the Italian manager with Ademola Lookman being one of the most recent. The 26-year-old joined the Italian side in 2022 and has enjoyed a fruitful spell at the club.
Lookman today pic.twitter.com/eaReKgrsOc
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) May 22, 2024
The Nigerian international opened the scoring for his side in the 12ᵗʰ minute of the game, taking advantage of a lapse in concentration from the Leverkusen defense. Lookman, then doubled Atalanta’s lead 14 minutes later with a wonderful finesse goal from outside of the box beating Matej Kovar. The forward’s brace provided Atalanta with just the start they required in the final. In what was a perfect ending to the night, Lookman got his third goal in the second half to complete the first-ever hattrick in a Europa League final.
Gasperini wins the tactical battle over Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso and Gian Piero Gasperini were respectful of each other’s abilities before the game. The Spanish manager who has headlined the majority of the talking points this season, was the victim of a tactical masterclass set-up by Gasperini. The veteran coach displayed his genius and understanding of the game on one of the biggest stages in the European soccer calendar.
52 games.
42 wins.
9 draws.
1 defeat.Xabi Alonso. Take a bow. pic.twitter.com/SSPt1CWt55
— Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) May 22, 2024
Atalanta deployed an aggressive man-to-man press making Bayer Leverkusen’s job ever more uncomfortable. The German side, uncharacteristically, was guilty of numerous reckless passes owing to the Italian side’s gameplan. Throughout the game, Atalanta looked much the better side in all areas of the pitch. Gian Piero Gasperini once again showed the world why he belongs with the topmost tacticians on the planet.