Janice R. Andrews
Marten de Roon, a midfielder for Atalanta, is optimistic that his club will break Bayer Leverkusen’s winning streak in Wednesday’s eagerly awaited Europa League final. Even with Leverkusen’s stellar campaign, de Roon thinks no team is unbeatable.
There is no denying Leverkusen’s supremacy this season. They’ve won their first-ever Bundesliga championship and, after being unbeaten in 51 games in all competitions, look set to pull off an incredible triple. Despite their unbeaten record making them a strong foe, de Roon is adamant that Atalanta can pull off an upset.
Up to this far, their season has been flawless. Every squad may be defeated; I don’t want to suggest they are perfect,” De Roon stated on Tuesday. Sadly for Atalanta, de Roon’s injury will prevent him from playing, but he never wavers in his faith in his team’s ability. “They seem unbeatable, but perhaps we can make a difference.”
Gian Piero Gasperini has led Atalanta from a little club in the provinces to a consistent competitor in European competitions. The team hasn’t taken home a major prize in 61 years, despite its ascent. For Atalanta, nevertheless, this season has been especially noteworthy. They’ve made it to their first-ever European final, qualified for the Champions League for the next season, and just lost out on winning the Coppa Italia after falling to Juventus last week.
“Winning the game is the only thing that matters. It doesn’t matter if I raise the trophy with or without me,” de Roon continued. “We’ll exert every effort to carry out that.”
Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen’s manager, is primarily to blame for the team’s success this season. The former star of Bayern Munich and Liverpool has demonstrated his passion and loyalty by turning down offers from his previous teams to remain with the German champions. Many, including Gasperini, have welcomed Alonso’s choice to stay at Leverkusen.
“Xabi Alonso’s accomplishments are amazing because they allowed him to attend many prestigious clubs thanks to his efforts this season. However, he believed that the club supported me when I wasn’t as well-regarded, Gasperini remarked.
The journey taken by Atalanta to reach the Europa League final has been extraordinary. They’ve beaten Liverpool in the quarterfinals and Marseille in the semifinals this season, which are two of their biggest wins in Europe. The team’s confidence has increased as they get ready to play Leverkusen thanks to these victories.
“We know we’re up against a really good squad. We are aware of their perfect record and their incredible season,” Gasperini remarked. But we also had a fantastic trip, defeating some really formidable teams to get to the final. We have faith as well.
Atalanta will need Gasperini’s strategic sense and leadership abilities if they hope to win their first European championship. The club has shown resiliency and drive this season, and defeating Leverkusen will need them to employ every resource available.
Conversely, Leverkusen will aim to complete a record season with a triple. They are a formidable force due to their blend of offensive skill, creative midfield play, and strong defense. But the strain of preserving an undefeated record in a game with such high stakes might favor Atalanta.
With the Europa League final drawing near, excitement is building across the football community. Will Leverkusen finish off their flawless campaign, or will Atalanta triumph historically despite the odds? There is little doubt that both sides will give it their all on the field as they strive for European success.
More than simply a chance to take home a trophy, Atalanta sees this game as a chance to establish themselves as one of Europe’s top teams. It represents the pinnacle of a wonderful season for Leverkusen. Everything is in place for a historic confrontation in Dublin, where history will be written in one way or another.
