Atalanta will play their first-ever European final when they take on Xabi Alonso's Bayer 04 Leverkusen on the 22nd of May at the Dublin Stadium in Ireland, Soccernet.ng reports.
In both team's search for a first-ever European silverware, Ademola Lookman will put his friendship aside for ninety minutes as he plays against Leverkusen's Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella.
Atalanta's coach, Gian-Piero Gasperini, was ecstatic after last night's final whistle confirmed his team's place in the Europa League final.
The Italian side are also in the Copa Italia final and will take on Juventus next week Wednesday, in their bid for a domestic trophy. Speaking after his side's 3-0 victor over Olympique Marseille, Gasperini was filled with praise for his team.
“We play many games, it is not easy to always play at its best, there are some races in which you struggle. This evening was a good victory. I had already said it yesterday, there was a city around us, when there are these emotions and these energies are clear that the players perceive them. It was a special game, they interpreted it in the best way,” the 66-year-old said in quotes revealed by Tutto Atalanta.
The former Inter Milan manager however maintained that their journey is yet to come to an end, highlighting his team's ambition to win the Copa Italia and the UEFA Europa League.
“It’s a historic milestone for us, we celebrated even after Liverpool, after Sporting, it’s right that it is so. We know very well that it is not over, first there will be Roma, then Juventus. The Europa League is more prestigious. I thought I’d play differently, but we were stubborn. This year we have made a truly remarkable path trying to advance our identity,” Gasperini added.
In the same vein, Xabi Alonso is unfazed about facing Atalanta in the final, instead, the Spaniard sees it as a challenge and a chance for Die Werkself to emerge victorious.
“Last year we came close to the final, this year we conquered it. Now in the final, we will meet an Italian again. Roma was also very good at trying to attack us. Atalanta with Gasperini for many years and has a well-rounded team: it will be nice to challenge them,” the Spaniard said after his team sealed a thrilling come-back at the Bay Arena last night.
Like Atalanta, Leverkusen will also be aiming to win the DFB Pokal. They face FC Kaiserslautern on Saturday, May 25th, 2024 at the Olympia Stadion in Berlin.
