It is the Invincibles towards the Goddess in Dublin on Wednesday as Bayer Leverkusen tackle Atalanta for the Europa League crown. Two golf equipment and not using a nice historical past of main honors are inside touching distance of the prize, one which might rank as by far Atalanta’s best on condition that their final top-tier trophy got here within the 1963 Coppa Italia remaining.
You do not have to go to this point again for the final time Bayer Leverkusen hoisted silverware, it was solely on Saturday they had been celebrating the Bundesliga title they secured final month. Nonetheless, the stakes may be even increased for Xabi Alonso’s aspect, who’re bidding to attain one thing unprecedented in post-war soccer historical past, an unbeaten season in all competitions. Right here is how one can watch the match and what it’s worthwhile to know:
Viewing data
- Date: Wednesday, Might 22 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Aviva Stadium — Dublin
- Reside stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Atalanta +333; Draw +260; Bayer Leverkusen -125
How they obtained right here
Atalanta’s street to the ultimate has been a formidable one, beginning with a gaggle stage marketing campaign the place Gianpiero Gasperini’s aspect gained 4 and drew two, beating Sporting on the street to come back out prime of a gaggle that included groups that will go on to be champions of Portugal and Austria. One other rematch with Sporting held no concern for Atalanta, Gianluca Scamacca and Ademola Lookman netting within the second half in Bergamo.
Then got here one of many video games of the season, Scamacca rising to the second with a brace as robust favorites Liverpool had been blown out of the competitors with a 3-0 defeat at Anfield, an irretrievable deficit even for Jurgen Klopp. Marseille held agency within the first leg of the semifinals however Atalanta had been rampant at dwelling, Lookman placing within the first half earlier than Matteo Ruggeri and El Bilal Toure guided La Dea to a primary European remaining.
Bayer Leverkusen’s aptitude for the dramatic was in full show within the Europa League knockout levels even when Group H had been fairly prosaic: 19 targets for, three towards and 18 factors from a potential 18. The drama got here within the spherical of 16 the place Alonso’s males had been two targets down in each legs to Qarabag. Florian Wirtz and Patrik Schick earned them a attract Baku however the second leg was altogether extra dramatic, the latter scoring within the 93rd and 98th minutes to show a 2-1 deficit right into a 3-2 win.
The run of late targets was not stopping there; Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface undid West Ham within the first leg earlier than Jeremie Frimpong denied the Irons even the comfort of a second-leg win. As for Roma, the onerous work appeared to be executed when Daniele De Rossi’s males had been crushed 2-0 within the Italian capital however two penalties from Leandro Paredes blew the semifinal extensive open.
A Gianluca Mancini objective restored Leverkusen’s lead on mixture however that will not be sufficient for a aspect chasing a report forty ninth sport unbeaten, a full season with out loss in sight. Josip Stanisic struck within the 98th minute and the run went on, because it has all the best way to Dublin.
Workforce information
Atalanta: Marten de Roon’s absence shall be keenly felt by Atalanta, the vice-captain and veteran of almost 350 video games for the membership revealing final week {that a} thigh harm meant “what ought to’ve been an important week of my profession, turned the most important nightmare.” There have additionally been questions over the provision of Sead Kolasinac, a key part to Gasperini’s line of defense, however he did participate in coaching. Rafael Toloi can be nursing a thigh concern.
Potential Atalanta XI: Musso; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, Ederson, Koopmeiners, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Pasalic; Scamacca
Bayer Leverkusen: Alonso had one key trigger for concern within the days main as much as the ultimate, would the transformative Florian Wirtz be match sufficient to begin after managing simply 27 minutes of Bundesliga soccer within the remaining three video games of the marketing campaign? The reply was fairly clear.
“Flo can play and is match,” mentioned the Leverkusen boss. “We’ll see what position he will get [Wednesday]. In any case, he’s undoubtedly a key participant for us and might make the distinction in each sport.”
That apart it’s a absolutely match squad for Alonso to select from, with Amine Adli vying for a beginning spot forward of Victor Boniface and Jonas Hofmann. Matej Kovar will retain his position as Leverkusen’s cup goalkeeper.
Potential Bayer Leverkusen XI: Kovar; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Wirtz; Adli
Prediction
Atalanta will give Leverkusen as powerful an examination as anybody has however after all the things the Bundesliga champions have achieved over the past 10 months, how may you choose towards them? PICK: Atalanta 1, Bayer Leverkusen 2 (a.e.t.)
