Key occasions
The groups
Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio: Musso, Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac, Zappacosta, Ederson Silva, Koopmeiners, Ruggeri, De Ketelaere, Lookman, Scamacca.
Subs: Toloi, Holm, Pasalic, Toure, de Roon, Bakker, Adopo, Carnesecchi, Rossi, Hateboer, Scalvini, Miranchuk.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen: Kovar, Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie, Stanisic, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo, Frimpong, Wirtz, Adli.
Subs: Hradecky, Kossounou, Hofmann, Andrich, Iglesias, Arthur, Schick, Tella, Boniface, Hlozek, Puerta, Lomb.
Referee: Istvan Kovacs (Romania).
Package and caboodle. Atalanta are the designated “house” staff tonight, so get to put on their black and blue stripes. Berat Djimsiti, standing in as captain forward of Rafael Tolói, who has lengthy misplaced his place, and the injured vice-captain Marten De Roon, will hand over an opulent if busy pennant. Leverkusen captain Jonathan Tah, wearing second-choice white and pink, will give a neat wanting red-and-yellow flag in return. Squint and also you’ll spot it.
Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen have met earlier than. Their solely conferences got here within the spherical of 16 within the 2021-22 version of this competitors. Atalanta gained the primary leg 3-2 at house, Luis Muriel their two-goal hero. The tie remained very a lot within the stability through the second leg in Leverkusen, till Jeremie Boga wrapped issues up within the final minute, securing a 1-0 win on the evening for Atalanta and a 4-2 combination victory. So whereas the Black and Reds are favourites tonight, the Black and Blues have latest historical past on their aspect.
Preamble
Welcome to our protection of Jurgen Klopp’s valedictory … ah no, it wasn’t meant to be. West Ham United, Rangers and Brighton & Hove Albion’s desires went up in smoke, too, together with these of some large names in European soccer: Milan, Benfica, Roma, Marseille, Sporting Lisbon, Villarreal, Ajax. All gone, and but we’re nonetheless left with a mouthwatering denouement: Atalanta v Bayer Leverkusen, one in every of Europe’s most progressive sides contesting their first-ever European ultimate, versus the newly topped champions of Germany, a staff who this season have forgotten find out how to lose.
Each are deserving finalists. Atalanta knocked out the brand new champions of Portugal, Sporting Lisbon, then steamrollered event favourites Liverpool. Leverkusen in the meantime carried out absurd last-minute unbeaten-run-salvaging wonders repeatedly and once more, in opposition to Qarabag, West Ham and Roma. It’s been a blast on either side of the draw, and there’s no cause why tonight’s Dublin showpiece will probably be any completely different. So strap your self in, seize the popcorn, deal with your self to a big pour, sit again and luxuriate in. Kick-off is at 8pm BST and we’ll go to further time and penalties if completely vital. It’s on!
