Lookman's Hat-trick Clinches Atalanta's First Europa League Title Against Leverkusen

Ademola Lookman will be celebrated in Bergamo after his hat-trick led Atalanta to Europa League victory, ending Bayer Leverkusen's 51-game unbeaten streak with a 3-0 defeat in Dublin. The Nigerian winger is only the second player to score a treble for an Italian team in the final of a major European competition, following Pierino Prati for Milan against Ajax in the 1969 European Cup.

Lookman's performance secured Atalanta's first major European trophy, making them the 10th different Italian team to achieve this feat, second only to English teams (13). His hat-trick was the sixth in a major UEFA final and the first since Jupp Heynckes for Borussia Mönchengladbach against Twente in 1975.

At 66 years and 117 days, Gian Piero Gasperini became the oldest coach to win his debut major European final. He is also the second Italian coach to win the UEFA Europa League after Maurizio Sarri in 2019. Gasperini's tactical brilliance will be remembered as a pivotal moment in Atalanta's history.

Leverkusen had no answer to Atalanta's performance, suffering their first defeat since their final game of the 2022-23 season. This ended a 361-day unbeaten run, with their last loss being a 3-0 defeat to Bochum. Gasperini's achievement places him among the oldest managers to win a major European trophy, alongside Raymond Goethals, Jupp Heynckes, and Alex Ferguson.

Atalanta's triumph marks them as the first Italian side to lift the Europa League trophy since its rebranding in 2009. The last Serie A team to win the UEFA Cup was Parma in 1999. This victory underscores the quality and tactical acumen present in Italian football.

Xabi Alonso will aim for redemption in Saturday's DFB-Pokal final. Leverkusen became the first team to win their league title but lose the UEFA Cup/Europa League final in the same season since Benfica in 2013-14. They are also the first German side to experience this since Borussia Dortmund in 2001-02.

Statistical Highlights

This victory not only highlights Lookman's individual brilliance but also underscores Gasperini's strategic expertise. Atalanta’s success is a testament to their resilience and tactical prowess on the European stage.