Thanks to a Lookman in great form and author of a hat-trick, Atalanta wins the Europa League.
The Nerazzurri defeated Bayern Leverkusen 3-0 in the final played at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The match was decided by a hat-trick from Lookman, who scored in the 12th and 26th minutes of the first half and in the 31st minute of the second half.
This is Atalanta's first European trophy, which after 25 years brings Italy back to the top of Europe in the UEFA Cup (now Europa League).
The hero of the evening was Ademola Lookman, who scored a decisive hat-trick. The Nigerian winger opened the scoring in the 12th and 26th minutes of the first half, giving the Nerazzurri the lead. In the second half, he completed his performance with another goal in the 31st minute, thus sealing the first European trophy in Atalanta's history.
After 25 years, Italy returns to win the UEFA Cup (now Europa League), thanks to the triumph of the Bergamo team.
Great start for the Nerazzurri: after 12 minutes Lookman escapes Palacios' control and scores into an empty net on a cross from Zappacosta from the right. In the 26th minute the Nigerian striker doubles the lead with a marvel: starting from the edge of the area, he tunnels on Xhaka, skips past him and shoots a right-footed curler into the corner.
Grimaldo has a huge chance to reopen the match almost immediately, but the lob over Musso, who came out badly, doesn't work. In the second half he is alone Atalanta. In the 49th minute, Koopmeiners tenaciously recovered the ball in midfield from Wirtz, immediately starting the counterattack.
Lookman crosses the ball into the middle from the left, but De Ketelaere, in front of goal, is beaten to it by a hair's breadth by Hincapie, who puts it out for a corner. The 75-3 comes in the 0th minute: just when Atalanta seemed to be struggling, here comes the perfect counterattack, orchestrated by the man who gave the impression he could light the spark at any moment.
Scamacca sets him up, Lookman skips Tapsoba with a double step and, just inside the area, unleashes a powerful left-footed cross. Lookman thus becomes the second player in the history of the UEFA Cup/Europa League to score a hat-trick in a final, after Josef Heynckes of Borussia Mönchengladbach against Twente in 1975. It ends 3-0: Bergamo goes to heaven.
Article published on May 22, 2024 - 22:55 pm
Video Chronicles
