By Jabez Yakah
Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman scored a hat trick in Atalanta’s Europa League final game against Leverkusen to end his club’s 61-year trophy drought while bringing Leverkusen’s unbeaten run to an end.
Prior to the match, Leverkusen had not lost in 51 games this season and were only two matches away from setting a new record. Lookman however had other ideas. Gian Piero Gasperini’s tactical masterclass coupled with his players’ pressing game was enough to earn Atalanta their second trophy since 1963’s Coppa Italia trophy. Their triumph was also enough to book them a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League, a spot which was not guaranteed with their position on the Serie A table.
Atalanta were fired up for their encounter with Leverkusen, having lost their Coppa Italia final game to Juventus just last week.
Despite Leverkusen’s loss, this season has been a historic one for the German team who became the first team to go unbeaten in a Bundesliga season. For the first time in 361 days, Alonso’s side has tasted defeat.
Leverkusen still has the chance to complete a domestic double in Saturday in their German Cup final match against second-tier Kaiserslautern in Berlin.
Source: www.bbc.com ,
