The beloved team of Bergamo, one of the most passionate cities in Italy, did something quite memorable. Winning the Europa League might look casual or normal for teams like Sevilla and other European superhouses. Not for Atalanta.
This team did not just become this good overnight. Their victory in Dublin merely manifests the grooming excellence that Gian Piero Gasperrini has been cooking since 2016.
The Italian had never won a trophy in his two-decades-old careers, which has seen him coach Serie A and Serie B clubs across the country. So, winning this would have meant so much.
Bayer Leverkusen would be quite disappointed to lose the way they did, given their brilliant season.
They started the game in a similar fashion to how they had been playing for eight games before the game, and the loss was imminent. When asked about what happened, Leverkusen’s head coach had a thing or two to say.
“We did not plan on having a bad day today, but it was not meant to be,” Xabi told TNT Sports.
“We could not cope with many difficult situations we were preparing because Atalanta demands so much of you. We were not getting the ball in the right situations to take advantage of one-on-one situations and duels. They do that so well.”
He added: “We were not able to come back and get that back. It was not meant to be. The unbeaten run has come to an end, but congratulations to Atalanta. They deserve it, so there is nothing more to say.”
Atalanta Came With Their Guns All Blazing
Based on analysts’ previews, Nigerian hero Ademola Lookman was not likely to start the game. However, his start proved to be an inspired choice.
The 26-year-old scored all three goals and proved that attack is the best form of defense, alongside the trident of Teun Koopmeneirs, Charles De Keletaere, and Gianluca Scammaca.
After the game, Gian Piero Gasperrini explained how he set up his side for the remarkable victory.
“We often play with the trident. There were all the conditions to do it. We had to play for the win in a Final. We needed to be attacking; it was not enough just to defend.
We know these teams are great at attacking, but not so much when you force them to defend. Everyone was extraordinary,” continued Gasperini.
The way we did it was the most important thing; we deserved it without a shadow of a doubt against such a strong team. Winning the Europa League is an extraordinary achievement.”
At least it means people will no longer ask when Gasperini will put some silverware on his mantelpiece.
“I don’t understand that and don’t think now I am any better than I was this afternoon. Juventus won the Coppa Italia, Inter won the Scudetto, but Bologna won with the Champions League spot, and Lecce won by achieving Serie A safety,” added the veteran manager.
We Deserved to Win – Gasperrini
The 66-year-old manager did not mince words when he was asked if his side deserved to win the Europa League. To the Italian, his side dominated the German champions and were deserved winners.
In his own words “I think we are in history, but the way we won was extraordinary. We repeated the performances of Liverpool and Lisbon, Sporting won their league, Liverpool was top of the Premier League when we went there, Bayer Leverkusen dominated the Bundesliga,
I have to thank the lads, their performance was just incredible.”
The Europa League win over Bayer Leverkusen was Atalanta’s first trophy since 1963 (a Coppa Italia win), that is 63 years ago! What a relief that must be for the people of Bergamo who must still be on cloud 9.
Undoubtedly, they deserved the win, with their strong performance on the day, and their imperious performances on the road to the final in Dublin.
Fans of Atalanta will be ecstatic about the event of their beloved team from Bergamo winning the Uefa Europa League, but this is a good time to remind everyone that Atalanta tickets can be gotten at an online resale store.
Atalanta went to Anfield, a fortress and came out with an impressive 3-0 victory and also beat the Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon.
What Does the Future Hold for Atalanta?
While still celebrating this victory, Atalanta must also look to the future.
Sustaining success at this level requires not just continued investment in their academy but also investing in bringing quality talents from all over the world and maintaining the culture of attacking football that has now become their trademark.
This Europa League victory should not be seen as the peak but just a foundation for further achievements.
The team had been undergoing some construction for almost a decade, and surely, a Europa League win should not be seen as the roofing of the building.
The next item on the list should finally be challenging for the Scudetto. If Napoli can do it with so much flair and brilliance, then I see no reason why Gasperini and Atalanta should not aim for top honors next season.
This is a good time for Italian football. Juventus’s dominance has long ended, and the Milan clubs seem to be getting back on their feet gradually but steadily. The gates of victory are open for anyone who wants them more.
Atalanta should begin next season with the singular objective of winning or seriously challenging for the Scudetto.
Conclusion
Atalanta has now become the pride of Italian football. The Bergamo side known for its impressive attacking football deserves all the praise it is getting, but what is most important is what it does from here.
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