Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman scored a hat-trick to secure a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League, describing it as ‘one of the best nights of my life.’
Lookman’s inclusion in the starting lineup was a surprise, but he played in an attacking formation alongside Gianluca Scamacca, Charles De Ketelaere, and Teun Koopmeiners.
Coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s decision proved to be a game-changer, as Lookman’s goals ended Bayer Leverkusen’s 51-match unbeaten streak.
It’s one of the best nights of my life,” Lookman said to TNT Sports, after being named Man of the Match.
He praised the team’s performance, saying, “We did it – fantastic. I’m just happy we won. We made history tonight.”
This win was a welcome relief for Atalanta, who had lost the Coppa Italia Final to Juventus a week earlier, and for Lookman, whose Nigerian team had lost the Africa Cup of Nations trophy.
How it went down from the 30th minutes!
34 min: Xabi Alonso prepares Victor Boniface to warm up.
35 min: Grimaldo misses a chance to score over Musso, who is off his position. Scamacca slides in aggressively on Adli and gets booked, along with Wirtz for requesting the booking.
37 min: Xhaka passes a clever ball to Wirtz, but Musso claims it.
38 min: Frimpong threatens to enter Atalanta’s box, but Kolašinac stops him, resulting in a corner that is easily cleared. Leverkusen starts to pose a threat.
39 min: Ederson steals the ball from Wirtz and passes it to De Ketelaere, who is unable to score due to crowding. Atalanta remains sharper than their opponents.
41 min: Frimpong is unable to clear down the left due to Zappacosta and Ruggeri’s efforts. There is no one in the middle for him to pass to.
43 min: De Ketelaere’s shot is saved by Kovar. Musso gathers Adli’s left-wing cross with Frimpong lurking.
45 min +1: Xhaka’s shot is wide of the bottom-right corner, and Musso has it covered.
HALF TIME: Atalanta 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
Atalanta has been excellent, and the scoreline reflects their dominance. Xabi Alonso needs to make changes for Leverkusen to have a chance.
Leverkusen starts the second half, with Victor Boniface replacing Josip Stanišić. Atalanta’s Sead Kolašinac is forced to switch out due to a thigh problem, with Giorgio Scalvini coming on in his place.
47 min: Boniface’s first act is a floated pass to Frimpong, which Musso gathers.
49 min: Lookman passes to Koopmeiners, who crosses low. De Ketelaere waits to score, but Hincapie hooks it out for a corner.
51 min: Frimpong drives down the right but is stopped by Ederson. It’s an end-to-end game with both teams going for it.
52 min: Grimaldo’s free kick is cleared by Atalanta. Musso still hasn’t had a serious save to make.
Leverkusen probes for a goal, with Hincapie and Grimaldo combining for a corner. They take it quickly and waste it. The German champs have improved since the break.
56 min: Hincapie is accidentally hit by Scamacca, but the referee sees it that way, and the Leverkusen defender is back up soon enough.
57 min: Charles De Ketelaere is replaced by Mario Pašalić. Frimpong’s cross is deflected towards the keeper by Ederson, who has been everywhere tonight. Musso gathers.
59 min: Wirtz’s loose pass finds Adli on the left, who crosses into the mixer. Musso parries, but Frimpong’s wild volley is off target.
60 min: Zappacosta is booked for a clumsy tackle on Adli. The resulting free kick is uneventful.
64 min: Wirtz’s diagonal ball is claimed by Musso ahead of Grimaldo, who was preparing to head it. Great and brave goalkeeping from Musso, who is injured in the process.
66 min: Zappacosta’s slow drive down the right earns a throw deep in Leverkusen territory, eating up a chunk of clock.
67 min: Lookman is about to beat Tapsoba down the left, but the Leverkusen defender grabs his shirt and is booked.
69 min: Alejandro Grimaldo and Exequiel Palacios are replaced by Robert Andrich and Adam Hložek for Leverkusen. Andrich is booked for complaining about a cheap free kick.
GOAL! Atalanta 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen (Lookman 75)
Lookman scores a stunning goal, his third of the night, to secure Atalanta’s victory. Scamacca passes to Lookman, who shifts the ball to his left and lashes an unstoppable rising drive across Kovar and into the top right.
Leverkusen is desperate for a goal, but Atalanta remains in control. Pašalić misses a chance to pass to Lookman for his fourth goal.
81 min: Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong are replaced by Patrik Schick and Nathan Tella for Leverkusen. Xabi Alonso is resigned to defeat, focusing on the German cup final at the weekend.
Leverkusen continues to push for a goal, but Atalanta’s defense holds firm. The match ends with Atalanta winning 3-0, securing their first Europa League title.
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