Europa League: Atalanta vs Bayer Leverkusen Live
Preview: Atalanta vs Bayer Leverkusen
The 15th Europa League final, Atalanta vs Bayer Leverkusen, will come off at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Wednesday at 7:00pm as Leverkusen aim to secure the second part of a remarkable treble while Atalanta hopes to win their first European trophy.
Regardless of the outcome, this match will make history as Atalanta could become the first Italian team to win the UEL trophy. The Italian side aims to spoil Leverkusen’s fairytale run, as Gian Piero Gasperini’s team has shown they can defeat any opponent in Europe. In the knockout phase, the Italian side defeated top teams from Portugal, England, and France, eliminating Sporting CP, Liverpool, and Marseille to secure their spot in Dublin.
The results represent half of a recent 12-game streak in the UEFA Europa League, with only one loss (7 wins, 4 draws). They have scored in all but two of their last 25 continental matches, showcasing their dangerous form. Despite their impressive record, Atalanta is not considered the favorites in the upcoming final, highlighting the exceptional performance of their German opponents.
Xabi Alonso’s team has achieved remarkable feats, including being unbeaten in 51 games this season, a record for a top European team. Their Bundesliga title win made them the first ‘invincibles’ in the league’s history. Extending their unbeaten streak to 52 games could secure them European honors for the second time after their 1988 UEFA Cup victory. A 53rd unbeaten game would elevate Alonso’s managerial status even further, with their final match of the season against Kaiserslautern for the DFB-Pokal approaching this weekend.
Head-to-head
The Italian side and Leverkusen faced each other in the 2021-22 Europa League, with Atalanta winning 3-2 at home and then winning by one goal in Germany in their last encounter.
Prediction
Advancing their argument as one of the top club teams in the sport, Leverkusen can defeat Atalanta’s exciting combination of skill and strength, as they are persistent throughout the entire team and never give up easily. This will result in another disappointing final for the Italian side, but winning the Europa League and moving closer to a remarkable treble will set the new German champions on a path towards legendary status.
