Atalanta ends Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten season, secures Europa League title

Atalanta defeated Bayern Leverkusen in the 2023/24 Europa League final to put an end to the German Champion unbeaten season.

In pursuit of an historic unbeaten treble, Bayern Leverkusen were wrecked by Ademola Lookman who scored a historical hat trick.

Former Everton and RB Leipzig forward Lookman, 26, produced the performance of his career as Gian Piero Gasperini’s team upset the odds to win their first European trophy and consign Leverkusen to defeat for the first time in any competition this season.

Leverkusen’s unbeaten run had lasted 51 games and 361 days, stretching back to a 3-0 defeat against VfL Bochum in May 2023.

Italian Serie A side Atalanta, who eliminated Liverpool at the quarterfinal stage dominated the game from start and Lookman gave them a 2-0 half-time lead before sealing a memorable victory with an outstanding individual goal on 75 minutes.

The Nigerian forward in the process became the first player to score an hat trick in Europa League final.

Despite the loss, Bayern Leverkusen will be proud of what they’ve been able to achieve this season. Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen had sealed their first-ever German title this season by winning 28, drawing 6 and losing none of their 34 league games.