Ademola Lookman was the star for Atalanta, scoring a hat-trick in their best night ever in Dublin. They beat the German champions, Bayer Leverkusen, 3-0 in the Europa League final on Wednesday.
Leverkusen came to the Irish capital with an unbeaten streak of 51 games this season and were aiming for a remarkable treble.
However, it was Atalanta’s progress under coach Gian Piero Gasperini that paid off in the end.
Ademola Lookman might seem like an unexpected player to score the first hat-trick in a European final since 1975.
The Nigerian is a prime example of the smart recruitment and excellent coaching from Gasperini that has enabled a smaller club to rise above the shadows of nearby giants AC and Inter Milan.
Born in England and developed through the Charlton Athletic youth academy, Ademola Lookman’s first major opportunity came with a move to Everton before joining RB Leipzig.
Despite his potential, he found limited first-team opportunities at both clubs and eventually spent time on loan at Fulham and Leicester, playing in the lower end of the Premier League.
Lookman only arrived in Bergamo thanks to the influence of Atalanta’s former head of sport, Lee Congerton, who had previously worked at Leicester.
Now, he will always be fondly remembered in northern Italy as the key player behind the greatest victory in Atalanta’s 116-year history.
“No one ever imagined he could make this much progress,” said Gasperini. “He did something that will remain in the annals of history. He has carried himself as an incredible player and a match-winner.”
Lookman’s hat-trick brought his goal tally for the club to 30 over two seasons.
He has played a crucial role in leading Nigeria to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations this year. At 26 he believes his career is about to reach new heights.
“I have always had confidence in my ability,” Lookman said. “In the past few years I have been able to take my game to a new level and show that on a more consistent basis.”
“I am pleased with the progress I’ve made but this is just the beginning. I hope for more nights like this.”
Ademola Lookman is not the only talent that Gasperini has developed to transform Atalanta into a strong team in Serie A and in Europe.
This season, he formed a formidable front three with Charles De Ketelaere and Gianluca Scamacca, who both found new success at Atalanta after challenging periods at AC Milan and West Ham respectively.
“The first few conversations I had with him made me look at football differently,” Lookman added. “He made it simpler in my mind and made me look at my game in a different light.”
Gasperini reiterated his belief that a trophy was not necessary to validate the excellent work he has done over the past eight years.
“I never believed one trophy would change our journey. The run we have been on is worth more than one piece of silverware,” said the 66-year-old.
“The game we have played tonight is the result of the journey.”
Gasperini acknowledged that Atalanta’s first major trophy in 61 years and the first of his coaching career, was a rare triumph for the underdog in a sport typically dominated by the wealthiest clubs.
“To win it with Atalanta is perhaps one of the football fairytales that rarely gives scope for meritocracy,” Gasperini said.
“It doesn’t always come down to cold hard numbers or super leagues but shows teams without huge budgets can achieve big things.”
