Atalanta Becomes The New Champion Of The Europa League After Breaking The Record Unbeaten By Leverkusen
Atalanta became the new Europa League champion after ending Leverkusen's unbeaten record with a 3-0 victory. The final match was at Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
Ademola Lookman became the hero of La Dea's victory thanks to his three goals. This is Atalanta's second major trophy since winning the Coppa Italia in the 1961/1963 season.
On the other hand, for Leverkusen, the failure to win the Europa League has stopped Xabi Alonso's side records this season in the 51st match.
Atalanta immediately played offensively even though Leverkusen remained the team that dominated possession.
Leverkusen looked difficult to break free from Atalanta's pressure which even took the lead in the 12th minute.
The attack from the left which led to feedback from Teun Koopmainers was completed with a kick by Ademola Lookman to change the position 1-0.
The goal added to Atalanta's confidence that in the 26th minute doubled the position, as well as from Lookman's goal.
Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka was cut by Lookman who then stabbed him into the front of the penalty box to curl into the far post of Kovar's goal.
Leverkusen only got his best chance in the 35th minute when Alejandro Grimaldo received Palacios' cross and just faced Juan Musso, but his shot led right to goalkeeper Atalanta.
Charles de Ketelaere almost brought Atalanta ahead if only his shot from outside the penalty box failed to be blocked by Kovar.
In the second half, both teams did not lower the intensity of the game. Leverkusen launched a series of attacks to catch up.
However, Leverkusen conceded again by Lookman's third goal in the 75th minute so Atalanta cleared the position to 3-0.
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This goal stems from Atalanta's counter-attack. Gianluca Scamacca dribbled forward before releasing a cross to Lookman, who then tricked Tapsobe with a shot into the top corner of the Leverkusen goal.
In the last 15 minutes Leverkusen tried to score, but the score did not change until the referee ended this match. Atalanta's squad under coach Gian Piero Gasperini became the new Europa League champions.
Line-up: Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Atalanta: Musso; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac (Scalvini 46'); Zappacosta (Hateboer 84'), Ederson, Koopmeiners, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere (Pasalic 57'), Scamacca (Toure 84'), Lookman
Bayer Leverkusen (3-4-2-1): Kovar; Stanisic (Boniface 46'), Tah, Tapsoba; Frimpong (Tella 81'), Xhaka, Palacios (Andrich 68'), Hincapie; Wirtz (Schick 81'), Adli, Grimaldo