Bayer Leverkusen’s 51-game winning streak was snapped by a hat-trιck from Ademola Lookman, which gave Atalanta the Europa League championship.  On the European scene, the former Premier League winger rose to the occasion, helping the Italian team win their first trophy in 61 years. 

His goals not only helped his club win, but they also cruelly ended the Bundesliga winners’ incredible run of victories this season.  Before this weekend’s German Cup final, Xabi Alonso’s team’s chances of winning a treble were dashed when they failed to secure an unbeatable double. 

Lookman doubled the lead with a fantastic shot after a nutmeg on Granit Xhaka, having opened the score with a confident finish at the back post. 

Lookman’s third goal, which he shot expertly into the top corner, cemented Atalanta’s well-earned victory over Leverkusen, who had the better of the game the entire time.  Leverkusen hadn’t suffered a loss since 2023 and the Italians hadn’t touched silverware in more than 50 years, but both runs came to an end tonight.

Xabi Alonso shared his opinions about the ultimate loss.

“Absolutely,” the Leverkusen manager said to TNT Sports. It was not supposed to be, but we had not planned on having a rough day today.

“Because Atlanta expected so much of you, we were unable to handle many of the challenging scenarios for which we were preparing.

“In one-on-one and duels, we weren’t receiving the ball in the appropriate circumstances to capitalize. They’re really good at that.

“We were unable to return and retrieve that. It wasn’t intended to be.

“The unbeaten run has come to an end but congratulations to Atalanta, they deserve it, so nothing more to sаy.”

After the match, former Arsenal teammates converse.

Granit Xhaka and Sead Kolasinac reconnect on the field, with the latter suffering his first loss of the year.

However, this season has seen them both win trophies, which is more than their previous employers have managed to do.