UEL: Atalanta win Europa League

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Atalanta 3 - 0 Bayer Leverkusen

Ademola Lookman delivered a stunning hat-trick as Atalanta ended their 61-year trophy drought, crushing Bayer Leverkusen’s hopes of an unbeaten season in the Europa League final at a lively Aviva Stadium.

UEL final 2024

Both teams brought a massive wave of support and vibrant colours to Dublin for what was Atalanta’s first European final and only Leverkusen’s third.

Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen side had remained undefeated for 51 games this season and were just two matches away from perfection.

The former Charlton Athletic winger Lookman had other plans. He netted the first goal with a top-corner strike from Davide Zappacosta’s cutback.

His second goal was a thing of beauty, nutmegging Granit Xhaka before curling a fantastic shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards. Lookman's third was equally brilliant, a step-over to beat Edmond Tapsoba before smashing the ball into the roof of the net.

Leverkusen who have been known for their dramatic comebacks this season couldn’t pull off another one.

Thanks to Gian Piero Gasperini’s tactical genius, an exceptional pressing game, and Lookman’s brilliance, Atalanta now has a second trophy to place next to the 1963 Coppa Italia in their cabinet in Bergamo.

This victory also secures them a spot in next season’s Champions League, which was not yet guaranteed through Serie A.

All eyes were on Dublin for Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak, but Atalanta and Lookman were not fazed by that.

UEL final 2024

Since he arrived in 2016, Gasperini has transformed Atalanta from a yo-yo club into a side that regularly qualified for Europe. However, a trophy had always eluded them.
Atalanta had lost all three Coppa Italia finals under Gasperini, including last week's Coppa Italia against Juventus.

They were fired up for the biggest game in their history and started aggressively. Zappacosta found space and his cutback was slotted home by London-born Nigeria international Lookman, who joined Atalanta in 2022 from German side RB Leipzig.

UEFA Europa League (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)

Several members of Atalanta’s bench ran onto the pitch to celebrate the goal, highlighting its significance.

The ex-Everton, Fulham, and Leicester player doubled their lead, and Atalanta never looked back.
It was the quickest two-goal lead in a tournament final since Liverpool against Alaves in 2001. 

Lookman capped off the night with another memorable moment, outwitting Tapsoba before netting only the sixth hat-trick in a European final.

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