In a disappointing defeat, Bayer Leverkusen graciously acknowledged their 0:3 loss to Atalanta Bergamo in the Europa League final. The Leverkusen coach, Xabi Alonso, acknowledged the opponent’s energy and expressed acceptance of the deserved outcome. Atalanta’s victory came from their commitment to attacking football, as they scored three beautiful goals through Ademola Lookman.
Atalanta’s success against Leverkusen was attributed to their effective tactics, such as preventing deep runs and short passing plays by Leverkusen. Their high-pressure defense disrupted Leverkusen’s usual gameplay, forcing them to resort to long balls that were easily intercepted. Despite Leverkusen controlling possession and completing more passes, Atalanta’s strategic play and physicality proved to be the key factors in their victory.
Atalanta’s midfield duo, Koopmeiners and Èderson, effectively neutralized Leverkusen’s creative players like Xhaka and Palacios. Leverkusen struggled to create chances and were ultimately unable to break through Atalanta’s solid defense. Atalanta’s tactical brilliance and unwavering performance highlighted their superiority in the final, showcasing their unique style that ultimately set them apart from Leverkusen’s previous opponents.
