Bayer Leverkusen suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of Atalanta in the Europa League round of 32. This loss marked the end of Bayer Leverkusen's unbeaten season, which had seen them dominate their opponents in both domestic and European competitions.
Atalanta's victory over Bayer Leverkusen was a testament to their tactical prowess and clinical finishing. The Italian side outplayed their German counterparts from start to finish, with goals from Cristian Romero, Josip Ilicic, and Robin Gosens sealing a convincing 3-0 win.
Playing with fire, Atalanta pressed high from the off and with Leverkusen's danger men making a cold start in unseasonably chilly conditions, the Italian side were ahead after 12 minutes.
Played in brilliantly by Teun Koopmeiners, Davide Zappacosta delivered an angled ball back across the box that eluded two of his team-mates, but not the lurking Ademola Lookman, who crashed in a shot at the far post. The No11 needed no assistance for his second on 26 minutes, weaving his way to the edge of the box and smashing a low effort past the exposed Matĕj Kovář.
Leverkusen were seeking only their second European trophy, and their first since the 1988 UEFA Cup -- the forerunner of the Europa League.
"It's exceptional what we have done. Today is painful, but it is deserved as well," Alonso said.
"These defeats in a final, you don't forget them. We had a big chance, we put everything on today, but it didn't go as planned, we weren't on our best level and we will learn from today.
In any normal season, or a typical European final, Atalanta and its veteran coach Gian Piero Gasperini would be the feel-good soccer story.
What is not to love for neutral fans in the big-money Super League era? A well-run club from a small provincial city playing attractive soccer on a modest budget for a loyal coach to lift its first top-level trophy for 61 years.
Instead, it fell to Atalanta to play the bad guy and stop Leverkusen’s shot at European soccer immortality.
The players responded with physical commitment from the opening minutes, harassing Leverkusen out of its typically elegant style with tight marking.
Leverkusen repeatedly gifted Atalanta the ball in its own half and created little. When scoring chances did come, Álex Grimaldo lobbed the ball weakly into the arms of goalkeeper Juan Musso who had advanced off his line, and Jeremie Frimpong’s volleyed shot went high over the goal.
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