Atalanta Triumphs with Ademola Lookman's Spectacular Hat-Trick to Clinch Europa League Victory Over Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen’s incredible unbeaten streak ended on Wednesday when Atalanta dominated in the Europa League final, securing a 3-0 victory and claiming only their second major trophy in the club's long history.

The star of the match was 26-year-old forward Ademola Lookman, who made history by scoring a remarkable hat-trick and solidifying his status as a hero for Atalanta.

His career began in south east London with Charlton Athletic and has taken him to Everton, RB Leipzig, Fulham, Leicester City, and finally, Atalanta. His performance in Dublin, Ireland was the crowning moment of it all.

Even before his heroics on Wednesday, Lookman had already won over the hearts of Atalanta fans and had settled into his new home in Bergamo, northern Italy.

Lookman shared with the BBC that he has felt the support of the fans in Bergamo right from the start. The city itself brings him a sense of peace and tranquility, which has greatly influenced his lifestyle. He remains focused on what truly matters in his life.

In addition to the supportive environment, Lookman's success on the field has also contributed to his positive experience. Since joining Atalanta in 2022, he has scored an impressive 15 goals in each of his first two seasons, marking the most successful period of his career thus far.

Lookman had an unforgettable night, scoring a hat-trick with just three shots on goal. He described it as "one of the best nights of my life."

After the game, Lookman expressed his excitement, calling the team's performance "amazing" and exclaiming, "We did it. We did it. We did it!" to TNT Sports.

This victory was “third time lucky” for Lookman after losing the Coppa Italia final last week and the Africa Cup of Nations final with Nigeria in February.

Lookman celebrates with the Europa League trophy.

Lookman celebrates with the Europa League trophy.

Paul Childs/Reuters

Lookman expressed his joy over the team's victory, saying, "I’m just happy we won today." He also mentioned their plans to celebrate, adding, "We’re going to celebrate - we made history tonight."

The impressive progress of Lookman since joining Atalanta has surprised even the team's manager, Gian Piero Gasperini.

Atalanta had a senior manager who previously worked at Leicester and saw the potential to bring him in as a valuable player. The 66-year-old Gasperini, who recently won his first managerial trophy, shared this with the BBC.

He mentioned that nobody could have predicted the remarkable progress the player would make. Initially not very successful in England, Gasperini shifted his position to a more attacking role. Last night, he accomplished a feat that will be remembered in football history - a remarkable hat-trick.

But things didn't go according to plan. Before Wednesday's final, everyone was talking about Bayer Leverkusen's incredible season and their impressive 51-game unbeaten streak.

They had just won the Bundesliga trophy without losing a single league game, making history in the process. However, it seemed like this final match was a bit too much for Xabi Alonso's team.

Late, unlikely comebacks have been a key part of this tough team's unbeaten streak. However, Lookman's third goal with 15 minutes left dashed any hopes Leverkusen fans had of their team making another miraculous comeback.

Leverkusen's incredible unbeaten run finally came to an end.

Leverkusen's incredible unbeaten run finally came to an end.

Andrew Boyers/Reuters

"We didn't expect to have a rough day today, but things didn't go our way," Alonso shared with TNT Sports post-game. "We struggled to handle the tough situations because Atalanta puts a lot of pressure on you.

"Our unbeaten streak has ended, but credit to Atalanta. They earned the win. When they scored the first goal, it gave them a boost of energy. It wasn't just about tactics; they outperformed us individually and as a team."

Alonso and Leverkusen may have missed out on an unbeaten season, but they still have a shot at ending the campaign on a high note. They will be facing second division Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final.

Alonso expressed his disappointment at the recent defeat, but he remains optimistic for the upcoming final. He mentioned that they will learn from the setback and use it as motivation for the next game.

Editor's P/S:

The Europa League final served as a stage for Ademola Lookman's brilliance, where he etched his name in the annals of football history with a hat-trick that propelled Atalanta to victory. Lookman's journey has been marked by resilience and unwavering determination, as he overcame early setbacks in England to find his true calling in the vibrant city of Bergamo. Atalanta's supportive environment and Gasperini's tactical acumen have unlocked his potential, transforming him into a formidable force.

Despite Bayer Leverkusen's remarkable unbeaten run, Atalanta's dominance proved insurmountable. Lookman's clinical finishing and Atalanta's relentless pressure shattered Leverkusen's hopes of extending their historic streak. However, Alonso's team remains resilient and will seek redemption in the German Cup final. Lookman's triumph stands as a testament to the transformative power of finding the right fit and the unwavering support of a dedicated fanbase.