Atalanta showed the ultimate form of respect to Bayer Leverkusen players after handing the German side their first defeat in the UEFA Europa League final.
The Italian side formed a guard of honour before the awarding ceremony to pay tribute to Xabi Alonso’s men, whose bid to finish the season unbeaten came unstuck at Aviva Stadium.
Atalanta players lined up and applauded the Bayer Leverkusen stars as they entered the stage to receive their medals as runners-up in the European second-tier competition.
It was a disappointing end to the tournament for Leverkusen, whose unbeaten run ended at 51 matches. They were simply outclassed by Atalanta, who won their first title in 61 years.
Ademola Lookman scored all three goals as Atalanta stopped the clock on Bayer Leverkusen’s extraordinary 51-game unbeaten run and brought 66-year-old coach Gian Piero Gasperini the first major trophy of his long career.
Atalanta pressed high from the off, and with Leverkusen’s danger men making a cold start in unseasonably chilly conditions, the Italian side were ahead after 12 minutes.
Played in brilliantly by Teun Koopmeiners, Davide Zappacosta delivered an angled ball back across the box that eluded two of his teammates, but not the lurking Ademola Lookman, who crashed in a shot at the far post.
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