Atalanta vs. Bayer Leverkusen preview: Team news and predicted lineups
| Photo: Bayer 04 Leverkusen |
After lifting the Bundesliga trophy on Saturday, Xabi Alonso's high-flying and invincible Bayer Leverkusen will turn their attention to Wednesday's Europa League final against Atalanta at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The clash with Atalanta is just one of two finals this week for the Werkself, who also face Kaiserslautern in the DFB-Pokal final on Saturday. Winning both of those games to complete the treble would be the perfect way for Leverkusen to end what has been a flawless campaign.
Leverkusen reached the Europa League final with a 4-2 aggregate win over AS Roma in a match that was closer than it might appear on paper. After winning 2-0 in Rome, Leverkusen found themselves 2-0 down at home before scoring twice late on to ensure their progress.
"We showed great character. I looked my players in the eye afterwards and saw that they wanted more. We still have the chance to win three titles, and my boys deserve all three titles," Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said ahead of the final.
Atalanta, meanwhile, are heading for their second final of the season after losing 1-0 to Juventus in the Coppa Italia final a week ago. Gian Piero Gasperini's side bounced back from that heartbreaking defeat with a 2-0 win over Lecce to move up to fifth in a Serie A campaign that hasn't yet reached its conclusion.
A 3-0 home win over Olympique Marseille sent the Italian side through to the Europa League final with a 4-1 aggregate victory.
"The final will be a historic event. For teams like ours it's truly incredible, but it's a good omen for everyone. It's a historic achievement for us – we also celebrated after Liverpool, after Sporting, rightly so. But we know very well that it's not over," said Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso fielded Florian Wirtz as a false nine in the first leg and could do the same in the final, with the 21-year-old expected to be fit enough to start after struggling with injury recently.
In general, Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso should have a full squad to choose from, while Atalanta will be without Holm and De Roon. Toloi and Kolasinac are doubts for the Italian side.
