With a hat-trick of Lookman L’Atalanta beats the invincibles of Bayer Leverkusen. But, above all, football wins Gasperini. Xabi Alonso he got the football lesson he was missing. And he got it for the fifty-second time, the most important of the season.
L’Atalanta she was impressive for her aggressiveness, concentration and application. A very high pressing that took the Germans’ breath away and prevented them from dribbling. All the goals came from winning the ball by putting pressure on the Bayer forcing them to make mistakes.
Then the Nigerian put all his class into it. He scored three goals, one better than the other. He takes home not only the ball, but also the award for best player of the final. Ademola he is the first player to score a hat-trick in a Europa League final. And he coincidentally, what a combination, the only cup won byAtalantathat 1963 Italian Cup, had been won with a hat-trick of Domenghini. Historical courses and recurrences.
Gian Piero Gasperini at 66 he won his first trophy and was the oldest coach to win the Europa League. Now no one will have more to say than the Gasp he’s good, but not a winner.
He fielded a courageous team with three attackers and was rewarded by the dedication of all the players. Eleven lions who fought until the last drop of sweat to win the trophy. These guys made history and will remain in the roll of honor in everlasting memory.
The central midfielders (absent DeRoon) Koopmeiners And Ederson they were monumental. The work of sewing, pressure, winning the ball back and the ability to restart the action saw them dominate and annihilate Xhaka And Palacio.
The much feared attacking trident of Leverkusen was well supervised by Hien, Kolasinac And Djimsiti. Then Kolasinac when he returned in the second half he had a muscle strain and had to withdraw. He entered in his place Scalvini which he did very well.
L’Atalanta that a Lisbon in the first half he set the example with a brilliant football, which won ad Anfield against the Liverpool 3-0, who won the return match with Marseille to Bergamo 3-0 and won the final against the Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in such a clear way is not a coincidence. It is a team with gigantic values and which has enormous room for improvement. Where can he possibly go now? What more can you ask for? The Champions League? The championship? The Italian Cup? The Italian Super Cup? The European Super Cup (which will be played on August 14 against the winner of the Champions League)?
Joy exploded in the city. The Bergamo fans present at Dublin they got drunk with enthusiasm. The dream came true. The new Gewiss Stadium which is being completed will also have a museum and this cup will be put on display. May 22, 2024: a memorable date.
Sunday afternoon at Gewiss it will be a big party and these guys with Gasperini in the front row they deserve to be hugged and thanked for what they have given to the city of Bergamo.
The family Percassi and the property of Stephen Pagliuca they will be able to plan the near future starting from a base that has consolidated itself in the upper echelons, not only of Italian football, but above all European football. Now everyone knows who the Goddess is.
Atalanta-Bayer Leverkusen 3-0
Networks: 12′ Lookman, 26′ Lookman, 75′ Lookman.
Atalanta: Musso 7.2; Djimsiti 6.2, Hien 7.5, Kolasinac 7.3 (46′ Scalvini 6.8); Zappacosta 7.2 (84′ Hateboer 6.2), Ederson 7.8, Koopmeiners 6.9, Ruggeri 7.4 (91′ Toloi 6); De Ketelaere 6.9 (57′ Pasalic 6.4), Lookman MVP 10, Scamacca 7.5 (84′ Touré 5.9). Annex Gasperini 7.07.
Bayer Leverkusen: Kovar 6.1; Tapsoba 6.8, Tah 5.7, Hincapié 7.2; Stanisic 6.1 (46′ Boniface 6.1), Palacios 6.7 (69′ Andrich 5.8), Xhaka 5.8, Grimaldo 6.5 (69′ Hlozek 6.4); Frimpong 5.6 (81′ Tella 6.1), Wirtz 6 (81′ Shick 6.2), Adli 6.6. Coach Xabi Alonso 6.23.
Referee: Istvan Kovacs.
