The player rates as Lookman steals the show

Atalanta broke Bayer Leverkusen's hearts and ended their 51-game unbeaten run to win the 2023/24 Europa League. They became the first Italian team since Parma in 1999 to win the Europa League, thanks to their 3-0 victory in Dublin tonight.

A thrilling performance from Ademola Lookman saw him score a stunning hat-trick, which included a fine finish inside the box, a long strike into the bottom corner and a powerful finish into the top right corner.

Atalanta played German champions Leverkusen off the park, pressing them very well and making their ability to play the ball out of defense useless. It was a tactical masterclass from Gian Piero Gasperini, who transformed this Atalanta side from mid-table obscurity into European champions; You have done an incredible job so far.

It was an easy night's work for the Italian side, with Leverkusen playing nowhere near the team expected. Xabi Alonso's team could not find a foothold in this game.

Alonso's decision not to pick a well-known striker like Patrick Schick or Victor Boniface would have worked against them in the grand scheme of things. If he had chosen one of those two, the night would have had a very different feel to it.

It was a disappointing night for Alonso and his men, who ended up losing for the first time this season, in a penalty shootout. They have one game left, the DFB Pokal final against Bundesliga 2 side FC Kaiserslautern.

Want to know how each player played today? Here are our player ratings from the final.

Atalanta player ratings

GK – Juan Musso – 7

Not much to do, but strong when called upon. A clean sheet in the European finals is highly commendable.

CB – Beret Djimsiti – 6

He was good going forward, and although he struggled at times against Boniface, he helped ensure his team kept a clean sheet.

CB – Isak Hien – 7

He is strong in his duels and won both his fights. A solid performance from a defender in the European final.

CB – Sead Kolasinac – 7

He coped well with the pace of Frimpong in the first half, who wanted to get behind him at times, and was too physical for the Dutchman to deal with. He had to come off injured at halftime.

RWB – Davide Zappacosta – 8

He pressed hard all night and provided great support to De Ketelaere down the right. He worked well with Grimaldo, too. Always up and down the side.

CM – Ederson – 9

Everywhere in the midfield battle against Xhaka and Palacios who have been excellent all season. Relentlessly pressed, great in duels and great in football. Engine in the middle of the park.

CM – Teun Koopmeiners – 8

Like Ederson, Koopmeiners was excellent in midfield, constantly pressing and showing his quality on the ball. A superb performance from one of Europe's busiest midfielders.

LWB – Matteo Ruggeri – 7

Pressed as well as his wing-back partner Zappacosta, and provided space down the left for Atalanta to exploit. He worked hard on his duels, too. A perfect display from the wing-back.

AM – Charles De Ketelaere – 7

He found joy in the right space, got on the ball regularly in the first half and linked up well with the onrushing Zappacosta.

AM – Ademola Lookman – 10

First player to score a hat trick in a one-leg Europa League final. Killing all night, running tirelessly at Taposoba and scoring three impressive goals. High performance.

ST – Gianluca Scamacca – 8

Brilliant in duels especially in the air, and plays well too. He ended his night with a well-deserved assist for Lookman as he completed his hat trick. He showed his class all night.

Subscribers

Giorgio Scalvini – 6

He came on as part of Kolasinac's half, and did an excellent job helping his team reach the end of the game. It helped keep Wirtz quiet.

Bayer Leverkusen player ratings

GK – Matej Kovar – 5

Dropping three in the European final is not fair, but there wasn't much he could do for any of them.

CB – Edmond Tapsoba – 3

A tough night for the defender, who was completely unable to handle Lookman and was run over by the Nigerian. A night to forget.

CB – Jonathan Tah – 4

He struggled against Scamacca, who created Lookman's third goal with a fine assist. His first loss as captain this season.

CB – Piero Hincapie – 4

Like his midfield mates, he struggled and was often pointed back by the likes of Zappacosta when pressed.

RWB – Josip Stanisic – 4

Struggled to get into the game at right back, and had a tough night against the dangerous Lookman. He was replaced by Boniface during the break.

CM – Exequiel Palacios – 4

He held the ball towards the opener to allow Lookman to sneak in behind him and convert from eight yards. He worked hard in midfield until the end of the game.

CM – Granit Xhaka – 4

A shadow of his usual self this season. He couldn't find his passing range and struggled in some of his midfield plays. He was cheated by Lookman for his second goal.

LWB – Alejandro Grimaldo – 4

He had a good chance to put his side 2-0 down in the first half, but his effort was saved by the goalkeeper. His set delivery was incredibly bad as well.

AM – Jeremie Frimpong – 5

Playing an unusual role tonight, running the channels well but struggling to cope with the physicality of Kolasinac.

AM – Florian Wirtz – 4

Couldn't get into the game at all, and didn't have much of an impact in the final third. Scalvini was silenced in the second half.

ST – Amine Adli – 3

He struggled against the physicality of Atalanta's back three, and didn't get a glimpse of the goal all night. A frustrating night.

Subscribers

Victor Boniface – 4

He was brought on at half-time to help Leverkusen's attack, and while he struggled going forward, he didn't get help and didn't get a clear chance in front of goal.