This Europa League final was won in Dublin but made in south London. Ademola Lookman was born in Wandsworth, went to school in Peckham, played Sunday League football for Waterloo FC and began his professional career with Charlton Athletic.
On Wednesday night he scored a sensational hat-trick as Italian side Atalanta lifted their first European trophy and ended Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten run in the Bundesliga champions’ 52nd game of the season.
Big things were expected of the Nigeria winger when he broke through at The Valley in 2015. Everton signed him just over a year later, but his ascent stalled during underwhelming spells at RB Leipzig, Fulham and Leicester City.
However, the air in Bergamo must agree with him. Twenty-seven goals in 75 appearances before last night became 30 in 76 as he opened the scoring after 12 minutes, doubled the lead after 26 and made it a treble, the first in a Europa League final, 15 minutes from time.
It was third time lucky for Lookman, now 26, in finals this calendar year after losing the Afcon final with Nigeria and the Coppa Italia to Juventus last week.
Atalanta and their veteran coach Gian Piero Gasperini, both appearing in their first European final, had given notice of their quality when they beat Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield in the quarter-final, and showed no sign of being fazed by their previously invincible opponents.
Leverkusen failed to score for only the second time this season and must lift themselves as they attempt to complete a domestic double against Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final on Saturday.
They were second best from the first whistle and went behind when ex-Chelsea wing-back Davide Zappacosta zipped down the right channel and crossed low and hard. It went behind attackers and defenders alike and seemed to be heading harmlessly towards Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios, but while he waited, the alert Lookman stole in to sidefoot high into the net.
Leverkusen were struggling to find any of the rhythm that might have been expected of a side on such a long unbeaten run. The best they could manage was a deflected shot from defender Josip Stanisic that looped comfortably into the arms of goalkeeper Juan Musso.
Lookman showed how it should be done a second time and Leverkusen contributed to their own downfall. Goalkeeper Matej Kovar’s pass out of his own penalty area was headed carelessly back into his own half by striker Amine Adli and Lookman fastened on to the loose ball, nutmegged Granit Xhaka and bent his shot low past Kovar’s left hand.
Even when the German side manufactured a chance, Musso had gambled on a dash from goal and was perfectly positioned to collect the normally-lethal Alejandro Grimaldo’s tame attempt. And Charles De Ketelaere almost made it 3-0 after winning possession and forcing a save to his left from Kovar.
Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso had dropped top scorer Victor Boniface and his selection was plainly not working. He restored the forward to the side at half-time.
Leverkusen certainly appeared more determined and although Jeremie Frimpong’s volley was wild and high, it could have been a sign of better things to come. But Atalanta redoubled their efforts, pressing relentlessly and defending resolutely. And then Lookman went outside Edmond Tapsoba and drove the ball high into the far corner to settle it.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/1bqQck3
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