Bayer Leverkusen's surprise loss in the final vs. the Italians; a relapse for the vice-leaders. - Alonso causes three KOs.
Leverkusen lost the Europa League final against Atalanta Bergamo 0-3 in Dublin, snapping their 51-game unbeaten streak and experiencing their first competitive defeat of the season. After winning the title the previous Saturday, a devastating four days later brought disappointment.
Robert Andrich on RTL: "It's really bitter. But we need to be honest - Atalanta deserved this win today. We have to congratulate them."
Champion coach Xabi Alonso's (42) dream ended. They will still have a shot at the double as they face second-division side Lautern in the cup final.
The loss to Bergamo was nearly expected, given that Leverkusen put in their worst performance of the season, particularly in the first half. A surprising number of misplaced passes, plenty of missed tackles, and moments of stupor-induced play earlier in the match. For example, before the 0-1 happened, there was an instance like that.
12th minute: Zappacosta passes the ball into the middle. Palacios completely misses it, allowing Lookman to break free - he scores from 8 meters.
Leverkusen's game worsened as they seldom crossed the halfway line, and then the 0-2 was conceded...
26 minutes: Leverkusen goalkeeper Kovar kicks the ball forward. Adli's shot goes astray. Lookman collects the ball - and scores from roughly 20 meters.
Lookman? He's a familiar face from the Bundesliga. He was under contract with Leipzig but kept getting loaned out and eventually sold to Bergamo in 2022.
Leverkusen finally improved and had chances. Grimaldo couldn't score past Atalanta's keeper, Musso, at 34', and Boniface came close but missed the mark. Later, Frimpong went over the target.
And what about their feared final offensive? It failed to materialize! Lookman scored again, netting after a counter-attack to make it 3-0 (75').
Unfortunate for Leverkusen, and regrettable for German soccer.
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Source: symclub.org
