How Lookman's hat trick ended Leverkusen's historic 51-match unbeaten run

The rise of Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen has been nothing short of phenomenal. Over the past year, they have consistently displayed heroic performances that have become almost routine. They have achieved a feat that defies the annals of Bundesliga history, becoming the first team since its inception in 1963 to complete an entire season without a single defeat. 

As Leverkusen players stepped onto the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday night, their record-breaking unbeaten run stood at an astonishing 51 games, and they were on the cusp of securing a historic treble. Where did this incredible success originate, and what lies ahead for this formidable team? Contemplating the magnitude of their achievement is a mind-boggling endeavor, leaving one in a state of sheer incredulity. Logic is torn asunder, and expectations lie shattered in the wake of such grandeur. 

The Europa League final was expected to be yet another glorious chapter in Leverkusen's saga. Atalanta, to many, appeared as mere peripheral figures, destined to succumb to the overwhelming might of Leverkusen's assault. But on the eve of the showdown, Atalanta's captain, Marten de Roon, declared with fervor, "We find added motivation in being the first to conquer them." Yet, history had seen teams before them utter similar words 51 times, only to be ensnared by the clutches of failure.

However, this time around, Atalanta turned rhetoric into reality. The narrative took an unforeseen twist, leaving onlookers in awe of the unpredictable nature and captivating drama that football never fails to deliver.

From the opening whistle to the final moments, it was Atalanta who asserted their dominance. Leverkusen, unfortunately, did not do themselves any favors. Their performance was strangely nervous, with possession often squandered, allowing Atalanta to hog the ball. Throughout the match, Atalanta pressed relentlessly in the attacking third, forcing Leverkusen into a series of costly errors.  

Their brilliance was duly rewarded a mere 12 minutes into the game. Davide Zappacosta made a darting run, catching Exequiel Palacios off guard, and Ademola Lookman pounced at the back post, thundering the ball into the top corner. Lookman's second goal was a thing of beauty. He cheekily nutmegged Granit Xhaka before curling a magnificent shot into the bottom corner. And his third goal was equally impressive, as he fooled Edmond Tapsoba with a step-over before unleashing a powerful strike into the roof of the net. 

It's worth noting that no player had scored a hat trick in a European final since 1975, so Lookman, who had endured a difficult journey through the lower ranks of the Premier League before finding his place at Atalanta, deserves all the recognition that will undoubtedly come his way.

Leverkusen are not the type of team to succumb to anxiety when finding themselves two goals behind. Throughout the season, they had faced this adversity on four separate occasions and managed to mount a comeback each time. However, all good things must come to an end. In the final minutes of the match, there was a VAR check for a potential Leverkusen penalty, but it was not awarded. Yet, the German champions barely protested, for they knew deep down that there was no way to overturn the deficit this time.  

This exceptional Leverkusen side, known for their incredible ability to stage dramatic turnarounds, simply could not muster another feat of magic on this fateful night. Instead, they could only applaud Atalanta, who secured their first trophy in 61 years. Credit must also be given to Gian Piero Gasperini, who finally savored the taste of silverware after a long coaching career. 

"I believe we have written history, not only for the victory itself but also for the way we achieved it," said the 66-year-old tactician. "We overcame formidable opponents such as Liverpool and Sporting Lisbon. When we faced Liverpool, they were leading the way in the fiercely competitive Premier League. And now, we have beaten the German champions."

"It is truly incredible."