DUBLIN – Ademola Lookman scored a surprising hat-trick as Atalanta beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 within the Europa League closing on Wednesday to win simply the second main trophy of their 117-year historical past and finish the German champions’ outstanding unbeaten streak.
Lookman, who struggled to determine himself within the English Premier League with Everton, Fulham and Leicester City earlier than reviving his profession in Italy below Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini, struck twice inside the primary 26 minutes earlier than sealing the win quarter-hour from fulltime.
The victory ended Gasperini’s personal two-decade lengthy pursuit of main silverware as his aspect completely outplayed Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen – or ‘Neverlusen’ as that they had been dubbed after going an unbelievable 51 video games unbeaten.
But simply as they did in opposition to Premier League heavyweights Liverpool and three-times finalists Olympique de Marseille within the earlier two rounds, Atalanta did not give their opponents a sniff to mark their first European closing with a well-known victory.
“We needed to be attacking, it was not enough just to defend. We know these teams are great at attacking. Everyone was extraordinary,” Gasperini instructed Sky Sports Italia, referring to the groups his aspect beat to develop into the primary Italian winners of the competitors since Parma 25 years in the past.
“The way we did it was the most important thing, we deserved it without a shadow of a doubt against such a strong team. Winning the Europa League is an extraordinary achievement.”
Leverkusen began the sport wanting decidedly uncertain of themselves and a few uncharacteristically sloppy play handed the primary probability of the sport to Gianluca Scamacca, who did not get sufficient on his header from a nice Matteo Ruggeri cross.
It was an early warning shot and the purposeful Italians struck inside minutes when Davide Zappacosta was allowed far an excessive amount of area down the appropriate earlier than Lookman beat a flatfooted Exequiel Palacios to the in the reduction of to stroke residence the opener.
Lookman was mobbed by his staff mates and substitutes who have been in dreamland 14 minutes later.
Another Leverkusen error gifted possession to the Nigeria ahead, who skipped previous one defender and curled a gorgeous right-footed shot into the bottom-right nook from simply exterior the field.
STUNNING STRIKE
The shocked Germans confirmed transient flashes of how shortly they will flip it on in assault however little got here of it and it was Charles De Ketelaere who got here closest on the break as Atalanta didn’t present a shred of debut closing nerves nor any results from the absence of injured captain Marten de Roon.
Leverkusen swapped defender Josip Stanisic for high scorer Victor Boniface at halftime nevertheless it modified little as each units of travelling followers continued to create the sort of Aviva Stadium noise matched solely by among the Irish rugby groups’ well-known wins or memorable worldwide soccer nights of years passed by.
Leverkusen had solely failed to attain as soon as through the run that featured 42 wins in all competitions and 17 objectives scored in or after the ninetieth minute, however there was no such comeback on Wednesday in opposition to the resolute Atalanta backline.
“The normality is not to get defeated in the 52nd game. Normally it happens much earlier in the season. It’s been quite exceptional what we have achieved and we have to be really proud,” Alonso instructed a news convention.
“We were missing many things for sure. It’s very demanding to play against Atalanta, a lot of dual situations, very physical… It happens, it’s football, today wasn’t our day. They were better.”
Lookman, whocompleted his hat trick with one other beautiful strike into the highest nook, this time along with his left foot, turned the sixth particular person to attain three objectives in a significant European closing and first since Jupp Heynckes’ for Borussia Moenchengladbach within the 1975 UEFA Cup.
He was flung into the air by his staff mates when the ultimate whistle blew and the Bergamo membership ended the 61-year wait since their 1963 Italian Cup triumph.
“It’s one of the best nights of my life,” Lookman, who cradled the matchball as he collected his winners’ medal, instructed TNT Sports.
“It was an amazing performance from the team. We did it… We made history tonight.”
—Reuters
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
