In a thrilling finale, Atalanta secured their first-ever Europa League title with a stunning 3-0 victory against Bayer Leverkusen, thanks to a hat-trick from Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman. This historic win not only ended Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak but also marked Atalanta’s first goal and trophy in a European final.
The highly anticipated match took place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, on May 22, 2024, in front of a packed crowd of 47,135 fans. Atalanta, led by coach Gian Piero Gasperini, were determined to make their mark on the European stage, while Leverkusen, fresh from their Bundesliga title win, were favorites to lift the trophy.
The match began with both teams displaying their attacking prowess, but it was Atalanta who drew first blood. In the 12th minute, Lookman expertly converted a pass from teammate Mario Pasalic, leaving Leverkusen’s goalkeeper, Lukas Hradecky, with no chance. The Nigerian forward doubled Atalanta’s lead in the 26th minute with a clinical finish, sending the Atalanta fans into raptures.
Leverkusen pushed hard to get back into the game, but Atalanta’s defense was solid, and their midfield controlled the pace of the match. In the 75th minute, Lookman sealed the win and his hat-trick with a sublime strike, securing Atalanta’s historic victory.
This win capped a remarkable season for Atalanta under coach Gasperini, who praised his team’s resilience and preparation leading up to the final. “We worked hard to get here, and it’s an incredible feeling to lift this trophy,” Gasperini said in the post-match press conference.
Leverkusen, despite their impressive unbeaten run and recent domestic success, were unable to secure the treble, with this loss marking a significant setback just days before their German Cup final match. “We’re disappointed, but we’ll learn from this and come back stronger,” Leverkusen’s coach, Xabi Alonso, said.
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