Atalanta BC 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen @bayer04 @Atalanta B.C. Furthering their claim to be one of the greatest club teams to grace the game, Leverkusen can overcome Atalanta's thrilling mix of flair and power, as they are relentless from back to front and never know when they are beaten. While that means more final heartbreak for La Dea, lifting the Europa League trophy and taking one step closer to a memorable treble will put the new German champions on course for immortality. Atalanta's last meeting with Leverkusen came in the 2021-22 Europa League, when they won 3-2 at home before losing by a single goal one week later in Germany - but the stakes will be far higher on Wednesday evening. Having seen off Marseille in the semis, after topping Group D and then eliminating new Portuguese champions Sporting and Premier League giants Liverpool, La Dea can dream of claiming glory in a first-ever European final. Now the 11th different Italian team to reach a continental decider, the Bergamo club could also become the first Serie A side to win the Europa League - if they can avoid falling at the final hurdle. Since revered coach Gian Piero Gasperini's arrived in Lombardy eight years ago, Atalanta have been transformed into regulars on the European stage, once managing a remarkable run of three Champions League qualifications in a row. However, the 66-year-old tactician has yet to lift silverware, with his team having recently lost the Coppa Italia final to Juventus for a second time in four years, marking his third defeat overall in the cup's Rome finale. Gasperini will walk out in Dublin as the oldest manager to take charge of his first European final, while relative newcomer Alonso is the youngest coach to lead a UEFA finalist since 2012 - the tactical battle between two very different men is sure to be fascinating. While only Serie A champions Inter have posted a higher goals rate during the second half of the season, free-flowing Atalanta have proved rather more circumspect in continental competition, facing only 2.8 shots on target per game in the Europa League so far - the lowest ratio of any side to take part. La Dea kept another clean sheet last weekend, when a vital victory over Roma was followed by beating Lecce 2-0; forward pair Charles De Ketelaere and Gianlucca Scamacca were on target at Via del Mare, wrapping up both a top-five finish and a cherished Champions League return. Already a beloved figure in Bergamo, if 'Gasp' can now shake off the tag of nearly-man and help Atalanta win their first major trophy since 1963 - beating brilliant Leverkusen on the way - that would cement his status as an all-time great among fans of the Nerazzurri. #bayer #bayer04 #leverkusen #bayerleverkusen #atalanta #uel #football #bundesliga #seriea #final #europaleague - @sporty_betghana