Europa League Finale: Leverkusen's Insatiable Ambition Collides with Atalanta's Elusive Quest

In a captivating showdown at the Europa League final in Dublin on Wednesday at 9 PM, the paths of two clubs with contrasting fortunes converge. On one side stands Bayer Leverkusen, the recently crowned German champions, riding an unprecedented wave of invincibility after 51 unbeaten matches. On the other, Atalanta Bergamo, a club that has chased its second major trophy for 61 years, yearning to etch their name in the annals of European football history.

The German Werkself ("The Factory's XI"), under the tutelage of the Spanish tactician Xabi Alonso and his "total football" philosophy, will attempt to add the Europa League crown to their illustrious Bundesliga triumph. Their unbeaten run in the competition serves as a testament to their unwavering dominance, setting the stage for a potential treble as they prepare to face Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final the following Saturday.

From 'Neverkusen' to 'Neverlusen

Arriving at the helm of a struggling side in October 2022, Xabi Alonso has masterfully transformed his club's fortunes, guiding them from the moniker "Neverkusen" – the team that never wins – to "Neverlusen" – the team that never loses. Despite initial modest ambitions, Alonso's tactical acumen and his players' determination have propelled them to unprecedented heights.

"The goal was to reach the Champions League, but beyond that, it was about playing good football and building a strong team with quality players," Alonso reflected ahead of their final Bundesliga clash against Augsburg. "I won't say now, 'Obviously, we wanted to win the Bundesliga!' because that wasn't realistic in August. But after our first two or three Bundesliga games, I had a feeling we could have a good season."

With their sights set on etching their name in history, Leverkusen's triumphant march continues, bolstered by Alonso's ability to rotate his squad and maintain peak form.

Atalanta's Elusive Quest

On the other hand, despite an exceptional campaign, Atalanta Bergamo finds themselves in a somewhat less favorable position. Their 2-0 victory over Lecce secured at least a fifth-place finish in Serie A and a coveted Champions League berth for the third time in their history.

"Qualifying for the Champions League was our objective from the start of the year. It's a great achievement, and we'll arrive in Dublin with confidence," prophesied Gian Piero Gasperini, Atalanta's long-serving coach since 2016. However, he acknowledged the mental and physical toll of their grueling 14-match stretch since April 3rd, conceding, "We need to regain physical and mental freshness. Our last ten games can be considered high-stakes matches, and the most difficult to recover is mental energy."

A Drought Yearning to be Quenched

For Bergamo, the need for rejuvenation is paramount as they seek to end a 61-year drought since their only major trophy – the 1963 Coppa Italia. Despite an exceptional journey in Serie A and the Europa League, where they eliminated the likes of Sporting Portugal, favorites Liverpool, and Marseille, Atalanta could conclude the season without adding silverware to their modest collection after their recent Coppa Italia final defeat to Juventus.

Leverkusen, however, remains insatiable, with their recent successes fueling an unquenchable thirst for more glory. "To say that one of these occasions interests me more than the others would not be the truth," Alonso responded when asked which objective held the highest importance.

The stage is set for a tantalizing clash, where Leverkusen's relentless pursuit of glory collides with Atalanta's elusive quest for a long-awaited triumph. In this Europa League finale, one side can claim it all, while the other risks leaving empty-handed, adding another chapter to their tale of near-misses.