Ademola Lookman left an indelible mark on Atalanta’s history with a sensational hat-trick in the Europa League final, a feat that even surprised the team’s coach, Gian Piero Gasperini.
The London-born Nigerian winger’s heroics propelled Atalanta to victory over Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin, making him only the sixth player to achieve a hat-trick in a European final and the first since 1975. This triumph came against a formidable Bayer Leverkusen side led by Xabi Alonso, which had remained unbeaten for 361 days.
Despite Lookman’s previous modest goal-scoring record at clubs like Charlton, Everton, RB Leipzig, Fulham, and Leicester, the 26-year-old has flourished at Atalanta, netting 15 goals in each of his two seasons with the Italian club.
Gasperini expressed his astonishment at Lookman’s progress, attributing it to the player’s positional switch and his own astute management. Lookman, on his part, credited his confidence and the club’s support for his development, describing the hat-trick as a dream come true.
The victory sparked jubilation among Atalanta fans, with celebrations planned in Dublin and a possible street named after Lookman in Bergamo, where he enjoys immense support.
Lookman’s mentor, Felix Emanus, shared his elation, describing the win as a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. Meanwhile, Gasperini lauded Atalanta’s achievement, highlighting the club’s financial sustainability and success as a testament to meritocracy in football.
