Bayer Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten run, treble hopes end with thumping in Europa League final against Atalanta
- Xabi Alonso’s side had finished their league campaign without losing and have German Cup final at weekend
- Atalanta are first Italian side to win trophy since Parma in 1999 and knocked out Liverpool en route to final
Bayer Leverkusen’s quest for a perfect season ended at the hands of Atalanta in the Europa League final after the Italians won 3-0 in Dublin thanks to Ademola Lookman’s hat-trick.
Xabi Alonso’s side had been seeking an unprecedented undefeated treble and came into this match having clinched the Bundesliga title without suffering a loss.
But with just two matches remaining between them and immortality, they succumbed to another of the fairy-tale stories of this season’s European campaign.
Atalanta had been known for overachieving in recent seasons as they regularly reached the Champions League, despite working with a modest budget. But manager Gian Piero Gasperini had yet to win the silverware that would cement his legacy.
And how he has that monkey off his back in style. En route to the final they secured a memorable 3-0 victory at Anfield to knock out Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and the Italian boss highlighted how important his players’ attitude had been to secure this trophy.
“We needed to be attacking, it was not enough just to defend,” Gasperini told Sky Sports Italia. “We know these teams are great at attacking.
