The ultimate of the second cup sequence, the Europa League, was held in Dublin on Wednesday night time. The truth that the German champion Bayer Leverkusen acquired in was not stunning in any respect, that Atalanta, which is in fifth place within the Italian championship, additionally acquired right here, it took an enormous feat, particularly the elimination of the large favourite Liverpool.
Atalanta stunned the German workforce and took the lead within the twelfth minute. After Zappacosta’s move from the fitting, Ademola Lookman was left empty within the center, and he shot confidently into the purpose from seven meters. Within the twenty sixth minute, the 26-year-old striker who was additionally born in England, however who’s a part of the Nigerian nationwide workforce, was the main focus of consideration. With an excellent trick, he threaded Xhaka 20 meters from the purpose, then pushed one on the ball and curled it brilliantly into the left facet of the purpose, the Czech Kovar flew in useless, however couldn’t attain the ball.
Leverkusen got here again a number of instances on this sequence from a two-goal deficit, however they failed this time. The Italians defended excellently – goalkeeper Musso was in place when wanted – and didn’t surrender on counterattacks in any respect. We had the sensation that if this match have been performed till morning, the Germans wouldn’t rating a purpose even then.
Within the 76th minute, Lookman acquired off to an excellent begin, he outplayed his defender with a bicycle kick, dribbled to the surface, and mercilessly minimize beneath the crossbar from 14 meters. Kovar acquired to it, however the ball hit the online with such power that he had no likelihood to put it aside. Lookman was a Leipzig participant between 2019 and 2022, however he solely acquired 11 video games within the German workforce, he was loaned out twice, first to Fulham after which to Leicester.
Nobody has but scored a hat-trick within the Europa League last, many gamers have been anticipated to be the tip of the scales, Lookman least of all, as a result of he hasn’t had a very good season thus far.
Within the ninetieth minute, it appeared that Hlozek was illegally obstructed contained in the penalty space, however the referee István Kovács, who was born in Nagykároly, waved the ball on, and the incident was not even videotaped. Thus, Leverkusen did not even run to beautify. Bayer can nonetheless win the German Cup this weekend, if they should beat second-tier Kaiserslautern within the last in Berlin.