Lookman, the London-born Nigeria striker who started his profession at Charlton, produced two glorious first-half finishes and added a superb third quarter-hour from time as Atalanta romped to a 3-0 success in Dublin.
READ: NEWS: ‘Let’s meet in court docket’ – Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena to his TS Galaxy counterpart Sead Ramovic
Victory gave Atalanta solely the second trophy of their 116-year historical past, over six many years after the Bergamo aspect had gained the Coppa Italia.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s group had misplaced to Juventus within the closing of the Coppa Italia seven days earlier however they recovered from that setback to knock Leverkusen out of their stride.
And Lookman, as soon as of Everton, Fulham and Leicester, supplied the innovative to reward a sophisticated all-round efficiency.
Leverkusen got here into the Aviva Stadium showdown fancied to savour extra glory in a marketing campaign that has nearly defied perception.
Xabi Alonso’s aspect have been getting ready to an invincible season having gained the primary Bundesliga title of their historical past.
Leverkusen had gone 51 video games unbeaten and have been contesting the Europa League closing forward of Saturday’s German Cup showpiece event in opposition to second-tier Kaiserslautern.
However Leverkusen didn’t appear ready for Atalanta’s excessive press that compelled early errors and set the tone of the competition.
Granit Xhaka was responsible of shedding possession of Matteo Ruggeri to arrange a headed alternative for Gianluca Scamacca.
If that was a transparent warning, Leverkusen didn’t heed it and Atalanta have been forward after 12 minutes.
Teun Koopmeiners pounced on {a partially} cleared nook and slipped a pleasant move inside to Davide Zappacosta, who pulled it again right into a harmful space.
The ball travelled throughout the field and, with Exequiel Palacios again on his heels and unaware of imminent hazard, Lookman stole in to transform with a agency side-foot.
Josip Stanisic directed a deflected shot straight at Juan Musso however the Italians continued to indicate menace with Scamacca sending a Lookman move over the crossbar.
Issues obtained worse for Leverkusen after 26 minutes with their failure to keep up possession and defend the transition once more costing them.
Lookman took care of a unfastened ball earlier than slipping it by means of the legs of Xhaka and discovering the online from 20 yards with an unstoppable curling shot.
Leverkusen ought to have halved the deficit when Alex Grimaldo was performed by means of and Musso had superior too far.
It was not a tough activity for Grimaldo to chip Musso however his effort didn’t clear the grateful goalkeeper.
Atalanta may need put the sport past Leverkusen at half-time after Scamacca had launched Charles De Ketelaere with a beautiful move from the skin of the fitting foot.
Kovar held De Ketelaere’s effort at his close to submit however Alonso knew change was crucial and Victor Boniface was despatched on for the second half so as to add guile to the Leverkusen assault.
Amine Adli drove ahead from his wing-back station to pressure a flying save from Musso, with Jeremie Frimpong unable to maintain the rebound down.
Leverkusen have been the comeback kings of European soccer having scored 10 equalisers or winners within the ninetieth minute or damage time, together with two in a single sport, in 2024.
However the Germans had no reply this time as Scamacca discovered Lookman on the left with defenders desperately retreating.
Lookman purchased some area with a stepover and planted a vicious left-foot shot previous Kovar to start out the Atalanta celebrations.
