Player ratings as Lookman steals the show

Atalanta broke Bayer Leverkusen’s hearts and ended their unbeaten run of 51 video games to win the 2023/24 Europa League. They grow to be the primary Italian crew since Parma in 1999 to win the Europa League, due to their 3-0 victory in Dublin tonight.

A scintillating efficiency from Ademola Lookman noticed him rating a beautiful hat-trick, which included a intelligent end from contained in the field, a long-range strike into the underside nook and an emphatic end into the highest proper nook.

Atalanta performed German champions Leverkusen off the park, urgent them so effectively and rendering their ball-playing means out from defence ineffective. It was a tactical masterclass from Gian Piero Gasperini, who has turned this Atalanta facet from mid-table obscurity to European champions; he has finished an unimaginable job to this point.

It was a comparatively straightforward evening’s work for the Italian facet, with Leverkusen enjoying nowhere close to the usual folks have come to count on. Xabi Alonso’s facet couldn’t get a foothold within the recreation.

The choice by Alonso to not decide a recognised striker reminiscent of Patrick Schick or Victor Boniface may effectively have labored in opposition to them within the grand scheme of issues. Had he picked certainly one of that duo, the evening may have had a really completely different really feel to it.

It was a disappointing evening for Alonso and his facet, who ended up falling to their first defeat of the season, within the penultimate recreation. They’ve yet another match to go, a DFB Pokal last in opposition to Bundesliga 2 facet FC Kaiserslautern.

Need to understand how every participant carried out immediately? Listed here are our participant rankings from the ultimate.

Atalanta participant rankings

GK – Juan Musso – 7

Not a lot to do, however stable when referred to as upon. A clear sheet in a European last is greater than commendable.

CB – Beret Djimsiti – 6

Led effectively from the entrance, and though he struggled at instances in duels in opposition to the likes of Boniface, helped guarantee his facet stored a clear sheet.

CB – Isak Hien – 7

Sturdy in his duels and gained each of his tackles. A stable displaying at centre-back in a European last.

CB – Sead Kolasinac – 7

Handled the tempo of Frimpong effectively within the first half, who seemed to get in behind him occasionally, and was too bodily for the Dutchman to have the ability to address. Needed to go off injured at halftime.

RWB – Davide Zappacosta – 8

Pressed beautifully all evening and supplied nice help to De Ketelaere down the right-hand facet. Dealt effectively with Grimaldo, too. Continuously up and down the flank.

CM – Ederson – 9

In every single place in a midfield battle in opposition to Xhaka and Palacios who’ve been great all season. Pressed relentlessly, excellent in duels and nice on the ball. An engine in the midst of the park.

CM – Teun Koopmeiners – 8

Like Ederson, Koopmeiners was wonderful in midfield, continuously urgent and displaying his high quality on the ball. A high efficiency from some of the enterprising midfielders in Europe.

LWB – Matteo Ruggeri – 7

Pressed effectively like fellow wing-back Zappacosta, and supplied an outlet on the left-hand facet for Atalanta to make use of. Labored laborious in his duels, too. displaying general from the wing-back.

AM – Charles De Ketelaere – 7

Discovered pleasure in the fitting half-space, acquired on the ball usually within the first half and linked up effectively with the overlapping Zappacosta.

AM – Ademola Lookman – 10

The primary participant to attain a hat trick in a single-leg Europa League last. Lethal all evening, relentlessly working at Taposoba and scored three spectacular targets. Elegant efficiency.

ST – Gianluca Scamacca – 8

Sensible in duels particularly within the air, and linked up play effectively, too. Capped off his evening with a deserved help to Lookman as he sealed his hat trick. Confirmed his class all evening lengthy.

Subs

Giorgio Scalvini – 6

Got here on as a half-time sub for Kolasinac, and put in a commanding efficiency to assist marshall his facet by to the top of the sport. Helped to maintain Wirtz quiet.

Bayer Leverkusen participant rankings

GK – Matej Kovar – 5

Conceding three in a European last is just not superb, however there was not a lot he may do for any of them.

CB – Edmond Tapsoba – 3

A really robust night for the defender, who couldn’t deal with Lookman in any respect and was run ragged by the Nigeria worldwide. An evening to neglect.

CB – Jonathan Tah – 4

Struggled up in opposition to Scamacca, who created the third aim for Lookman with a pleasant help. His first loss as captain this season.

CB – Piero Hincapie – 4

Like his fellow centre-backs, he struggled and was continuously pinned again by the likes of Zappacosta when being pressed.

RWB – Josip Stanisic – 4

Struggled to get into the sport at right-wing again, and had a tricky night coping with the damaging Lookman. Changed by Boniface at halftime.

CM – Exequiel Palacios – 4

Caught ball-watching for the opener to permit Lookman to sneak in behind him and convert from eight yards. Labored laborious in midfield for the remainder of the sport.

CM – Granit Xhaka – 4

A shadow of his regular self this season. Couldn’t discover his vary of passing and struggled in a few of his midfield duels. Nutmegged by Lookman for his second aim.

LWB – Alejandro Grimaldo – 4

Had a golden probability to drag one again for his facet at 2-0 down within the first half, however his tried dink over the goalkeeper was comfortably saved. His set-piece supply was surprisingly poor too.

AM – Jeremie Frimpong – 5

Taking part in a really unfamiliar function tonight, ran the channels effectively however struggled in opposition to the physicality of Kolasinac.

AM – Florian Wirtz – 4

Couldn’t get into the sport in any respect, and didn’t have a lot of an influence within the last third. Saved quiet by Scalvini within the second half.

ST – Amine Adli – 3

Struggled up in opposition to the physicality of Atalanta’s again three, and didn’t get a sight of aim all evening. A irritating night.

Subs

Victor Boniface – 4

Introduced on at half-time to assist spearhead the Leverkusen assault, and while he made himself a presence up entrance, acquired no service and didn’t get a clear-cut alternative in entrance of aim.