Dubbed 'Neverkusen' after their 2001-02 squad finished as runners-up in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League, Bayer Leverkusen is on a mission to shed that label this season.
Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, who took over less than two years ago when the team was struggling in the lower half of the table, Leverkusen has climbed to the summit of German football. They capped off an invincible 34-game league campaign with a victory over Augsburg, finishing with 90 points and ending Bayern Munich's 11-year reign.
Leverkusen's dynamic attacking style has seen them score 135 goals across all competitions while conceding only 39. They’re now aiming to lift their second European trophy, adding to their 1988 UEFA Cup win. Success in Dublin would set them up for a potential treble, with a DFB-Pokal final against second-tier Kaiserslautern looming just three days later.
Known for their resilience and knack for late goals, Leverkusen's journey could have ended much earlier if not for their never-say-die attitude. They overcame a 2-0 deficit in both legs against Qarabag in the last 16 and stunned Roma in the semifinals with a 97th-minute winner from Josip Stanisic. They also knocked out reigning Conference League champions West Ham United in the quarter-finals, having breezed through the group stage with a perfect record.
Atalanta's last encounter with Leverkusen was in the 2021-22 Europa League, where they won 3-2 at home but lost by a single goal in Germany. Now, they face even higher stakes. After eliminating Marseille in the semis and overcoming new Portuguese champions Sporting and Premier League giants Liverpool, Atalanta dreams of glory in their first European final.
As the 11th Italian team to reach a continental final, Atalanta aims to become the first Serie A side to win the Europa League. Under the leadership of Gian Piero Gasperini, who has transformed the club into European regulars, Atalanta has qualified for the Champions League three times in a row. However, Gasperini has yet to lift a major trophy, having lost the Coppa Italia final to Juventus twice in four years.
The tactical battle in Dublin will be fascinating, with Gasperini, the oldest manager to lead his first European final, facing off against the young and promising Alonso. Atalanta, who have been prolific in Serie A, have been more cautious in European competition, facing only 2.8 shots on target per game in the Europa League, the lowest of any team.
With a recent clean sheet and vital wins over Roma and Lecce securing a top-five finish and a Champions League return, Atalanta is in fine form. If Gasperini can lead them to their first major trophy since 1963, especially by beating a formidable Leverkusen, he will solidify his legacy among Atalanta fans.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
With a fully fit squad at his disposal, Xabi Alonso has the luxury of choosing from his entire Bundesliga-winning team for the final. The competition for places is intense.Piero Hincapie and key midfielder Granit Xhaka are expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday. The decision of whether to start Victor Boniface or Patrick Schick up front is still up in the air, with the possibility of using a 'false nine' also on the table.
Alonso will undoubtedly rely on star player Florian Wirtz. Although Wirtz has been carefully managed due to a thigh injury, he made a brief appearance off the bench against Augsburg and should be ready to start. The 21-year-old has been phenomenal this season, tallying 18 goals and 19 assists across all competitions. His semi-final goal against Roma was his 11th in the Europa League, showcasing his importance to the team.
For Atalanta, while Charles De Ketelaere, Ademola Lookman, and Teun Koopmeiners all pose significant threats, Gianluca Scamacca is likely to lead the attack in Dublin. After a slow start in the group phase with just one goal, the Italian forward has scored in every knockout round, including a memorable brace at Anfield. He now has six Europa League goals this season.
Although Emil Holm and Sead Kolasinac have returned from injury, Atalanta will be without their experienced skipper Marten De Roon, who is sidelined with a thigh strain suffered in the Coppa Italia final. Club captain Rafael Toloi is not yet fully fit, so Kolasinac or Giorgio Scalvini will likely join Isak Hien and Berat Djimsiti in the back three for the Nerazzurri.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:Musso; Djimsiti, Hien, Scalvini; Zappacosta, Pasalic, Ederson, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners, De Ketelaere; Scamacca
Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:
Kovar; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Wirtz; Schick
EXPERT PREDICTION
Atalanta 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Solidifying their status as one of the greatest club teams in history, Leverkusen has the ability to conquer Atalanta’s exciting blend of flair and strength. Leverkusen’s relentless drive, from defense to attack, and their unwavering resilience make them a formidable force.
Although this could mean more heartbreak for Atalanta, securing the Europa League trophy and edging closer to an unforgettable treble would set the new German champions on a path to legendary status.
