, Nigeria’s Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman scored a stunning hat-trick, leading Atalanta to a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final on Wednesday. This win not only ended Leverkusen’s impressive 51-match unbeaten run but also marked Atalanta’s first trophy in 61 years.
Lookman’s exceptional performance made him the first player to score a hat-trick in a European final since 1975, securing Atalanta’s maiden continental trophy. Reflecting on the achievement, Lookman expressed his elation, saying, “One of the best nights of my life. Amazing performance from the team. We’ve got to celebrate, we made history tonight.”
Atalanta, a team that has long been overshadowed by nearby giants AC and Inter Milan, has experienced a golden era under the guidance of Gian Piero Gasperini. The team has reached the Champions League on four occasions and now has silverware to showcase their progress. This victory is a testament to Gasperini’s transformative impact on the club.
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Leverkusen, renowned for their late comebacks during their historic Bundesliga title run, struggled to recover from a slow start in the final. Midfielder Granit Xhaka lamented the missed opportunity, stating, “It’s a shame that the time it didn’t work out for us was in a final. It’s bitter, definitely. We lost a final today, but we go on and we’ll make up for it on Saturday (in the German Cup final).”
Atalanta’s assertive play in the opening stages paid off early. Just 12 minutes into the match, Davide Zappacosta’s precise cross found Lookman, who capitalized on a defensive lapse to score the first goal. The Nigerian forward’s second goal showcased his skill, as he nutmegged Xhaka before curling a powerful shot into the far corner.
Despite Leverkusen’s attempts to claw back into the game, including efforts from Alex Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong, they failed to convert their chances. A potential lifeline was denied when Gianluca Scamacca received only a yellow card for a wild challenge on Florian Wirtz.
Leverkusen’s coach, Xabi Alonso, known for his rapid rise and tactical acumen, faced criticism for starting the match without a recognized striker. His decision to introduce Victor Boniface at half-time added some structure to the attack, but the damage had already been inflicted.
Atalanta continued to absorb pressure and counter-attack effectively. Lookman completed his hat-trick with another spectacular goal, bypassing Edmond Tapsoba and firing into the top corner with his left foot. This final goal cemented Atalanta’s victory and ended their streak of losing in finals, including last week’s Coppa Italia defeat to Juventus.
The atmosphere in the stadium was electric as thousands of Atalanta fans, clad in blue and black, celebrated their team’s historic triumph. This victory makes Atalanta the first Italian side to win the Europa League since Parma lifted the UEFA Cup in 1999.
As Lookman and his teammates celebrated, the significance of their achievement was clear. Atalanta’s victory not only broke a long-standing trophy drought but also marked a new chapter in the club’s history, showcasing their potential to compete at the highest level in European football.
Source: VanguardNGR