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Atalanta spring an almighty Europa League upset
Arriving in Dublin on May 22nd for their date with destiny, it was no secret that German record-breakers Bayer Leverkusen were stealing all of the headlines and attention.
However, although Atalanta might have largely played a back-up role in the build up to this season’s Europa League final, the Italian outfit made a stunning statement at the Aviva Stadium as they got their hands on a maiden piece of European silverware.
With one-time Charlton starlet Ademola Lookman bagging a famous hat-trick in the Irish capital, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side stormed their way to an iconic 3-0 romp amidst emotional scenes.
While Atalanta might have faced some monumental challenges during their European fairytale this season, La Dea overcome the likes of Premier League giants Liverpool in a masterful fashion.
With former West Ham misfit Gianluca Scamacca spearheading their charge to Dublin after recording six Europa League strikes, Gasperini’s history-making squad were certainly this season’s ultimate dark horse.
WINNERS. 🏆#UELfinal pic.twitter.com/Zbg32YwdSF
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 22, 2024
‘The Lookman Final’
Although all of Gasperini’s squad might have written themselves into the Europa League history books, there is no doubt that this season’s showpiece event will be forever remembered as ‘The Lookman Final’.
While Lookman might have been left as an unused substitute when Atalanta secured their iconic 3-0 romp away at Liverpool on April 11th, the Nigeria international has been the poster boy behind La Dea’s famous Europa League success this season.
Lookman’s hat-trick for Atalanta was the sixth to be scored in a major UEFA final. It was the first since Jupp Heynckes’ for Borussia Monchengladbach against FC Twente in 1975, which was the only other one to be scored in a UEFA Cup/Europa League final.
Finding a home since arriving in Bergamo two years ago, the…
Source link : https://www.soccernews.com/la-dea-dreamland-leverkusen-heartbreak-a-look-at-the-europa-leagues-biggest-talking-points-from-this-season/372139/
Author : Tom Dunstan
Publish date : 2024-06-02 09:00:37
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