Ademola Lookman became a legend at Atalanta with his stunning hat-trick in the Europa League final, a feat that took even his coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, by surprise.
The Nigerian winger, born in London, scored three goals in Atalanta’s victory over Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin. This achievement makes Lookman only the sixth player to score a hat-trick in a European final, the first since Jupp Heynckes for Borussia Monchengladbach in the 1975 UEFA Cup.
Lookman’s goals helped Atalanta defeat a strong Bayer Leverkusen team, which hadn’t lost a game in almost a year under coach Xabi Alonso. Lookman, 26, who previously played for Charlton, Everton, RB Leipzig, Fulham, and Leicester, had never scored double digits in a season until he joined Atalanta. In each of his two seasons with the Italian club, he has netted 15 goals.
Gasperini praised Lookman’s transformation, saying, “We had a manager at Atalanta who had worked at Leicester and saw potential in him. No one could have predicted this much progress. He wasn’t a prolific scorer in England, but I changed his role to be more attacking. Tonight, he achieved something historic.”
Lookman reflected on his journey from Wandsworth to Charlton’s academy, stating, “I always believed in my ability. In the past two years, I’ve taken my game to a new level. I’m happy with my progress, but this is just the beginning. I hope for more nights like this.”
After the final whistle, Lookman told TNT Sports, “It’s one of the best nights of my life.” He confirmed that a celebration was planned, saying, “We made history tonight.”
Joining Gasperini’s post-match press conference, Lookman expressed gratitude for the support he received from the club and coach. “The club and coach have supported me, giving me the minutes I needed to elevate my game. Our early conversations simplified football for me and helped me see the game differently.”
An Italian journalist joked that a street in Bergamo might be named after Lookman. The forward laughed and expressed his appreciation for the city’s support, adding that the calm and relaxed atmosphere of Bergamo has helped him stay focused.
Felix Emanus, Lookman’s mentor and former coach at Waterloo, was emotional after the game. “I cried when the third goal went in. I’m so happy for Ade. He works hard and always wants to improve.”
Atalanta’s Triumph
Atalanta’s victory is historic, marking only their second trophy in 116 years, the first being the 1963 Coppa Italia. Just last week, they lost the Coppa Italia final to Juventus. This win also makes them the first Italian team to win the Europa League since 1999.
Coach Gian Piero Gasperini, at 66 years old, is now the oldest coach to win the Europa League. He expressed immense pride in his team and their ability to balance financial sustainability with success. “Winning this trophy with Atalanta is like a football fairytale. It shows that success is possible without big budgets. Let’s savor this win before thinking about next season.”
Atalanta’s story is one of resilience and smart management, balancing their books while achieving remarkable success on the field.
