Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman emerged as the hero of the night, scoring a goal and providing an assist in Atalanta's commanding 3-0 victory over Olympique Marseille in the second leg of the semi-finals at the Gewiss Stadium on Thursday.
Thursday's result meant Gian Piero Gasperini's side advanced to the final of the Europa League with a 4-1 aggregate score after having drawn 1-1 in the reverse fixture a week prior.
The Nigerian found the bottom corner with a deflected shot to open the scoring in the 30th minute before delivering an assist for Atalanta's second goal, scored by Ruggeri, who smashed the ball home from inside the area to double the advantage in the 52nd minute.
El Bilal Toure scored the third goal for the hosts to cap off what was a successful night for Lookman and his teammates.
The superb performance by the Atalanta forward against Marseille has garnered UEFA's attention, earning him a nomination for the UEFA Europa League Player of the Week.
Lookman's outstanding display in the semifinal second leg puts him in contention for the award alongside Roma's goalkeeper Mile Svilar from Serbia, who made an impressive twelve saves in the thrilling 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen.
Lookman's reaction after stellar performance propels Atalanta to Europa League final
Following the thrilling victory, Lookman, in an interview with UEFA's official website shared his jubilation, saying, “Yes, we made history. An amazing performance from the team. We are in the final. We are going to Dublin so we are very very happy.
“I'm very happy with the goal obviously, and helping the team anyway I can so I am pleased. Yea, they are a top team, top side. We're in the final against them. We're a top side also – we're in the final. We've showed that this season with our results and obviously where we are now. We're in the Coppa Italia final, the UEFA Europa League final so we're looking forward to that.”
La Dea, secured their first-ever final in European competition, marking a significant milestone in their 116-year history.
Their upcoming challenge in the final looms large as they prepare to face off against Xabi Alonso's formidable Bayer Leverkusen.
The German side, boasting an unbeaten record, poses a formidable test for Atalanta as they strive to etch their name in the annals of football history.
In this season's Europa League campaign, the 26-year-old has notched two goals and contributed one assist across 10 appearances, starting eight matches for Atalanta.
Lookman set to clash with compatriots Boniface and Tella in Europa League final showdown
As the excitement mounts ahead of the UEFA Europa League final, all eyes are on Atalanta's rising star, Lookman, who is set to face off against his compatriots, Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella, representing Bayer Leverkusen in what promises to be an exciting encounter.
Lookman, known for his electrifying pace and clinical finishing, has been instrumental in Atalanta's journey to the final.
His presence on the field adds an extra dimension to Atalanta's attacking prowess, as they seek to claim their maiden European trophy.
Standing in Lookman's path are his fellow Nigerians, Boniface and Tella, who have been key figures in Bayer Leverkusen's formidable campaign.
Boniface's lethal goalscoring instincts and Tella's dynamic playmaking abilities have been pivotal in Leverkusen's march to the final, making them formidable adversaries for Lookman and Atalanta.
Boniface has contributed to six goals for Leverkusen in the competition, finding the net five times and providing one assist in seven matches.
On the other hand, Tella has scored one goal and provided one assist in 10 games for Die Werkself.
Ademola Lookman's stellar season makes strong case for CAF Player of the Year
Lookman's stellar performance throughout the season has undeniably positioned him as one of the standout players in African football.
As an AFCON silver medalist, Lookman played a crucial role in his national team's success, notching three goals and providing one assist during the tournament.
His outstanding performances earned him recognition as he clinched the AFCON Man of the Match award on one occasion and was named in the team of the tournament, further highlighting his impact on the Nigerian team.
At the club level, Lookman's contributions have been equally impressive. As a key member of Atalanta, he played a pivotal role in guiding the team to the finals of both the Copa Italia and the Europa League, showcasing his ability to excel on the continental stage.
His impressive goal-scoring record speaks volumes of his attacking prowess, with 12 goals and 8 assists so far in the season for Atalanta.
His ability to find the back of the net and create scoring opportunities for his teammates has been instrumental in the team's success.
Considering Lookman's remarkable achievements, both individually and collectively, he undoubtedly deserves consideration for the prestigious CAF Player of the Year award.
