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BAYER Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak this season came to an end after Atalanta beat the German team in the Europa League final 3-0.
Demola Lookman scored a stunning hat-trick as Atalanta won just the second major trophy in their 117-year history.
Lookman, who struggled to establish himself in the English Premier League with Everton, Fulham and Leicester City before reviving his career in Italy under Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini, scored twice inside the first 26 minutes before sealing the win 15 minutes from full-time.
The victory ended the Atalanta coach's two-decade-long pursuit of major silverware as his side totally outplayed Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen ― or 'Neverkusen' as they had been dubbed after going an incredible 51 games unbeaten.
With the win, Atalanta became the first Italian winners of the competition since Parma half a century ago.
“We needed to be attacking, it was not enough just to defend. We know these teams are great at attacking. Everyone was extraordinary,” Gasperini was quoted as saying in a report.
“The way we did it was the most important thing, we deserved it without a shadow of a doubt against such a strong team. Winning the Europa League is an extraordinary achievement.” – May 23, 2024.