Thanks to goals from Ademola Lookman, Matteo Ruggeri, and El Bilal Toure, Atalanta cruised to a 3-0 win over Olympique de Marseille, winning 4-1 on aggregate. This marks the first time the Italian club has ever reached a European final, where they will face Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin on May 22. The team is also aiming for a double, as they prepare to face Juventus in the Coppa Italia final on May 16, seeking their first major piece of silverware since 1963.
Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, Matteo Ruggeri, and El Bilal Toure all got their name on the scoresheet to send the Italians into their first Europa League final, securing a dominant 3-0 win over Olympique de Marseille for a 4-1 aggregate victory on Thursday. The Italians, who have never made it to a European final, will face Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final on May 22 (Wednesday) in Dublin. Atalanta is looking for a trophy double when they meet Juventus in the Italian Cup final on May 16 (Thursday), their lone major trophy being the 1963 Coppa Italia.
The second leg of the semi-final ignited in the 30th minute when Lookman scored from distance to beat Pao Lopez, which paved the way for Ruggeri to score shortly after. The Italians dominated the match through constant attacking waves involving Zappacosta and Scamacca, leaving the Marseille defense overwhelmed and rarely threatening in Bergamo.
Marseille's poor away record this season—just four wins—was on full display, and once Ruggeri scored in the 52nd minute, Jean-Louis Gasset's men were out of the fight. Toure then added a final goal during injury time to seal the result. This success is a testament to Gian Piero Gasperini's leadership, as he has transformed a modest provincial side into a powerhouse that could end the season with two major trophies.
\"Scoring my first goal here in Bergamo is an incredible feeling. It makes the dream of playing in the final feel real,\" Ruggeri told Sky Sports following the historic victory. \"We want to make it as difficult as possible for Leverkusen, but we aren't looking that far ahead yet. We're taking it step by step, enjoying this moment, and we'll give everything we have in the final,\" the 21-year-old defender added.
During the press conference, manager Gian Piero Gasperini reflected on the achievement, noting that it's a monumental moment for a club that doesn't have the massive fanbases typically associated with winning. He argued that Atalanta's rise is a beacon of hope, suggesting that football should be about merit and hard work rather than 'acquired rights' or the creation of Super Leagues. Currently sitting fifth in Serie A, the club is fighting for a Champions League spot and will face sixth-placed Roma on Monday, May 13.
Atalanta is currently placed fifth in Serie A and is hoping to qualify for the Champions League through the domestic competition. Atalanta will play Roma, who are in sixth place on Monday, May 13.