Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman was unstoppable, dashing Bayer Leverkusen’s dream of an unbeaten season and a treble of titles. Lookman scored a hat trick in Atalanta’s 3-0 victory over Leverkusen in the Europa League final on Wednesday.
This unexpected defeat ended Leverkusen's European record unbeaten run at 51 games. Few anticipated the new German champions would fall to a team that had already stunned Liverpool 3-0 in the quarterfinals.
London-born Nigerian international Lookman was ruthless, capitalizing on major errors by Leverkusen players. He scored twice in the first 26 minutes, in a game where the favorites never found their footing, and capped his performance with a precise shot in the 75th minute.
“It’s one of the best nights of my life,” said the 26-year-old Lookman, who had been loaned out and sold by both Everton and Leipzig before finding a club that fully appreciated him. “I’ve always had the confidence.”
In any normal season or typical European final, Atalanta and veteran coach Gian Piero Gasperini would be the feel-good story. A well-run club from a small provincial city, playing attractive soccer on a modest budget, lifting its first top-level trophy in 61 years is a tale to warm the hearts of neutral fans in the big-money Super League era.
Instead, Atalanta played the spoiler, ending Leverkusen’s quest for European soccer immortality.
“There is still scope for meritocracy and ideas and not cold hard numbers and Super Leagues,” said Gasperini, noting that Atalanta succeeded in turning a profit while his former club, Inter Milan, faced financial turmoil and a forced change of ownership.
Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso now faces the task of lifting his players for the German Cup final on Saturday, where they are heavy favorites against second-tier Kaiserslautern at Berlin's Olympic Stadium.
“It has been quite exceptional what we have achieved. Today it is painful,” Alonso said.
As the final minutes ticked down in Dublin, Alonso stood alone in front of the team dugout, alternating between having his hands in his pockets and folding his arms. Meanwhile, a sprightly 66-year-old Gasperini celebrated with his players and staff.
Alonso’s key decision to start Exequiel Palacios in midfield over Robert Andrich backfired. Palacios, defending the far post, failed to notice Lookman behind him when Davide Zappacosta's cross eluded everyone. Lookman took advantage and scored with a rising shot.
The second goal came in the 26th minute after Leverkusen gave away the ball in their own half. Amine Adli's errant header landed at Lookman's feet, who then evaded Granit Xhaka's tackle and curled a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Matěj Kovář.
Despite trailing 2-0, a scenario Leverkusen had overcome before in the Europa League knockout rounds, they couldn’t stage a comeback this time. Lookman's third goal ended any hope of a late fightback.
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