Ademola Lookman emerged as the hero of the night, netting a hat-trick that ended Bayern Leverkusen’s impressive unbeaten run and clinched Atalanta’s first European Cup title. Lookman’s spectacular performance marked the first hat-trick in a European final in 49 years, etching his name in football history and securing Atalanta’s inaugural continental trophy.
For decades, Atalanta has been overshadowed by nearby football powerhouses AC Milan and Inter Milan. However, under the guidance of Gian Piero Gasperini, the team from Bergamo has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence. They have qualified for the Champions League four times, and now they have silverware to showcase their progress.
On the other hand, Leverkusen had been riding a wave of success, known for their dramatic late comebacks. Their exceptional form led them to win their first-ever Bundesliga title without a single defeat. But on this night, they couldn’t recover from a sluggish start.
Atalanta’s early aggression paid off within the first 12 minutes. Davide Zappacosta’s determined run to the by-line set up Lookman, who capitalized on a lapse in concentration from Exequiel Palacios, firing the ball into the top corner at the back post. Lookman, who has had a journeyman career with loan spells at Fulham and Leicester City after being let go by RB Leipzig, has finally found his footing in Bergamo, cementing his status as a club legend with this performance.
Lookman’s second goal was a display of pure skill and precision. He deftly nutmegged Granit Xhaka and unleashed a powerful shot that curled into the far corner, a strike worthy of winning any final. Despite Leverkusen’s reputation for comebacks, this marked the fourth time in seven Europa League knockout matches that they found themselves trailing 2-0.
Leverkusen’s dynamic full-backs, pivotal in their remarkable season, failed to capitalize on crucial opportunities. Alex Grimaldo’s shot was easily saved by Juan Musso, and Jeremie Frimpong missed a golden chance, blazing over the bar with the goal at his mercy. Their woes continued as Gianluca Scamacca escaped with only a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Florian Wirtz.
Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen’s coach, has quickly become one of Europe’s most sought-after managerial talents, having turned down offers from Liverpool and Bayern Munich to stay at the BayArena. However, his decision to start without a traditional striker backfired. He introduced Victor Boniface at half-time to add a focal point to their attack, but the damage was already done. The German champions, worn out from their exhaustive campaign across three competitions, struggled to find their rhythm.
Atalanta, content to defend their lead, absorbed Leverkusen’s pressure and struck on the counter-attack. Lookman sealed the victory with another superb finish, maneuvering past Edmond Tapsoba and blasting the ball into the top corner with his weaker left foot.
This triumph was particularly sweet for Atalanta, who had previously lost three finals under Gasperini, the most recent being the Coppa Italia defeat to Juventus just last week. This time, however, they made history, buoyed by the fervent support of thousands of fans clad in blue and black who had traveled from northern Italy to the Irish capital.
Atalanta’s victory marks a significant milestone, making them the first Italian side to win the competition since Parma lifted the UEFA Cup in 1999. This achievement is a testament to the club’s perseverance and the effective leadership of Gasperini, heralding a new era for the Bergamo-based team.
