UEFA Europa League Final: Atalanta 3-0 Leverkusen
By: Michael Dominski
ATA. 3 – 0 LEV
How Ademola Lookman’s hat-trick led Atalanta past Bayer Leverkusen to their first Europa League title
Leverkusen’s 51-game unbeaten run was brought to an end in the Europa League final by a Lookman-inspired Atalanta
Result: Atalanta 3-0 Leverkusen
By: Ed Mackey
Ademola Lookman’s brilliant back-post strike gave Atalanta an early lead (12′)
Lookman doubled that lead after nutmegging Granit Xhaka (26′)
He then completed his hat-trick with a devastating left-footed strike (75′)
Win secured the first European title in Atalanta’s history.
An important game and a less important game coming next
No celebrations for Leverkusen tonight may be a blessing in disguise as they have a very quick turnaround for the DFB-Pokal final on Saturday.
Fortunately, it should be a game they can win without hitting top gear as second-tier side FC Kaiserslautern await at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, the same venue that will host the Euro 2024 final.
As for Atalanta, they do not have to worry about their celebrations ruining their next game as they face Torino at home on Sunday. As they have already secured a Champions League berth next season, that match doesn’t hold too much importance for Gasperini’s side.
Anyway, would love to see the homecoming that Lookman and co get at the Gewiss Stadium ahead of that match!
The Athletic
