Europa League winners

Europa League final: Atalanta against Leverkusen

Atalanta finally hold the trophy in their hands.

(Bild: AP ( via APA) Austria Presse Agentur/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Ademola Lookman scored three goals to fire Atalanta Bergamo to Europa League triumph on Wednesday. The 3-0 defeat in Dublin not only ended Bayer Leverkusen's unbeaten run this season. Coach Xabi Alonso's squad also saw their dream of a treble come to an end with the loss of the European Cup. 

With a gala performance, particularly in the first half, Atalanta Bergamo secured the European Football League title on Wednesday and ended Bayer Leverkusen's impressive run. The master of ceremonies in Dublin was Ademola Lookman, who scored a treble (12th, 26th, 75th) to give 66-year-old Gian Piero Gasperini's team a 3:0 (2:0) victory over the German champions, by far the biggest win in the club's history.

The only previous trophy for Sturm Graz's EL group opponents (2:2, 1:0 for Bergamo) had been the 1963 Cup win. The 26-year-old Lookman, not an undisputed regular at Bergamo, crowned a performance characterized by aggression and efficiency, against which a weak Leverkusen found no means. It was the first defeat of the current season for Xavi Alonso's side, who now have their sights set on winning the cup on Saturday after clinching the league title.

Atalanta dominate at the start
Atalanta took no prisoners in front of 50,000 spectators at the Aviva Stadium, attacking Leverkusen early on and finding the first chance soon after the start. Defender Piero Hincapie was on hand to save Matteo Ruggeri's header from a few meters out (8'). Three minutes later, Lookman crowned the successful start with a powerful shot into the left corner after a low cross from Davide Zappacosta.

Ademola Lookmann (2nd from left) celebrates a historic treble.

(Bild: AP ( via APA) Austria Presse Agentur/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Just as Atalanta continued their own line unimpressed, Leverkusen did not find their way into the game. Constantly under pressure, the Germans gave ball after ball away and a harmless shot from Josip Stanisic (18) remained the visitors' only shot for a long time. Shortly afterwards, Lookman made his next big appearance. After losing the ball again, Nigeria's team player moved into the middle of the penalty area and shot precisely into the bottom right corner.

Only then was Bayer able to launch a few quick forays against the extremely tall Italians, but in the most dangerous move Alejandro Grimaldo only managed a kind of back pass to the outrunning goalkeeper Juan Musso (34'). Atalanta had the last word again before the break, with Leverkusen goalkeeper Matej Kovar on hand to save Charles De Ketelaere's attempt.

This time it was not enough
Leverkusen had come back from 2-0 down four times this season, most recently in the semi-final second leg against AS Roma. Alonso brought on top scorer Victor Boniface at the break to turn the game around, and although he was not to play a major role, he saw that his team now not only had more possession, but also longer attacking phases.

Otherwise, Leverkusen were mostly convincing in the closing stages.

(Bild: AP ( via APA) Austria Presse Agentur/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

On the hour mark, Jeremie Frimpong sent a volley into the clouds after a dominant ten minutes for the Werkself, and a little later Musso had to intervene with a dangerous cross from Florian Wirtz (64'). Atalanta now played much deeper and could hardly create any more pinpricks, but continued to keep the Germans well at bay.

At the start of the final quarter of an hour, the Bergamo side counter-attacked towards the Bayer goal and Lookmann did not miss the chance. In a one-on-one, the nimble striker outmuscled Edmond Tapsoba and sealed the deal.