Striker Ademola Lookman nets hat-trick as Atalanta end Bayer Leverkusen’s 51-match unbeaten run to emerge champions of Europa Cup; boss Gian Piero Gasperini hails team for achieving glory without huge budgets.
Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman lifts the trophy after the UEFA Europa League final win over Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin. Pic/AFP
Ademola Lookman scored a stunning hat-trick as Atalanta ended Bayer Leverkusen’s 51-match unbeaten run to win the Europa League final 3-0 on Wednesday and claim their first trophy for 61 years.
Ademola Lookman made history by becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in a European final since 1975, securing Atalanta’s first ever continental trophy.
The side from Bergamo has long been overshadowed by the prominent clubs AC Milan and Inter Milan from nearby. However, under the guidance of Gian Piero Gasperini, the team has entered a golden era, having qualified for the Champions League on four occasions, and now, finally, they have silverware to show for their efforts.
Gian Piero Gasperini shared his thoughts on this monumental achievement: “To win it with Atalanta is perhaps one of the football fairytales that rarely gives scope for meritocracy. It doesn’t always come down to cold hard numbers or super leagues, but shows teams without huge budgets can achieve big things.”
Bayer Leverkusen, who had an incredible 51-match unbeaten streak and recently celebrated their first Bundesliga title, found themselves struggling right from the start. Typically known for their late-game comebacks, they failed to recover this time. “It’s a shame that the time it didn’t work out for us was in a final,” lamented Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka.
Atalanta’s aggressive strategy paid off early in the match. After only 12 minutes, Davide Zappacosta’s effort to reach the by-line allowed Lookman to capitalize, catching Exequiel Palacios off guard and finding the back of the net with a top-corner shot.
Ademola Lookman, whose career has seen him move from one club to another in the lower tiers of the Premier League, including stints on loan at Fulham and Leicester, finally appears to have found his home in Bergamo. Once overlooked by RB Leipzig, Lookman has now cemented his heroic status for Atalanta.
Reflecting on his journey and the night’s achievement, Lookman stated, “In the past few years I’ve been able to take my game to a new level and show that on a more consistent basis. I’m pleased with the progress I’ve made but this is just the beginning. I hope for more nights like this.
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Lookman’s second goal, another masterclass in talent, saw him nutmeg Granit Xhaka before curling a powerful shot into the far corner. His hat-trick was completed with yet another impressive finish, as he maneuvered past Edmond Tapsoba and fired into the top corner, this time with his weaker left foot.
Atalanta had suffered losses in all three of their previous finals under Gasperini, including the recent Coppa Italia defeat to Juventus. However, this time they seized their moment, driven by the support of thousands of fans clad in blue and black who had traveled from northern Italy to the Irish capital. Their triumph marks the first time since Parma’s UEFA Cup victory in 1999 that an Italian side has won this competition.
This momentous victory in Dublin not only ends a 61-year trophy drought but also marks a pivotal chapter in Atalanta’s history. The scenes at the final whistle were nothing short of euphoric, with Gasperini and his men celebrating as the blue and black sea of fans erupted in unison.
As the final whistle blew, the scenes were jubilant. Thousands of Atalanta supporters erupted in cheers, joining Gasperini and his squad in the celebrations. Lookman’s memorable hat-trick will be talked about for years to come, cementing his status as a club legend and a beacon of hope for smaller clubs striving to achieve greatness in a world often dominated by financial powerhouses.
Reflecting on their season, Gasperini highlighted the club’s ethos: “It doesn’t always come down to cold hard numbers or super leagues, but shows teams without huge budgets can achieve big things.” This victory serves as a shining example that with determination, tactical brilliance, and a touch of football magic, even clubs not backed by vast financial resources can reach the pinnacle of European football.
The fairy tale ending in Dublin ensures that Gian Piero Gasperini and his formidable team will go down in history, not just for ending Bayer Leverkusen’s incredible unbeaten run, but for epitomizing the spirit and passion that make football the beautiful game.
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