Europa League: Battle of Eagles as Lookman faces Boniface and Tella in the final between Atalanta and Leverkusen

 Thanks to the efforts of Man of the Match Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman, Atalanta are through to their first European final after overcoming Marseille 3-0 in Bergamo, completing a 4-1 win on aggregate to make the UEFA Europa League showpiece in Dublin where they face Bayer Leverkusen a club that parade Super Eagles duo of Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella.

Stunners by Lookman and Matteo Ruggeri put the Italians in control before El Bilal Toure wrapped up the scoring in

Lookman played a starring role as Atalanta booked their spot in the 2024 UEFA Europa League final with a 3-0 victory at home to Marseille.

The Nigeria international struck a deflected opener on the half-hour mark and was a constant menace as La Dea secured a 4-1 success on aggregate.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side looked the more threatening from the off with Gianluca Scamacca hitting the woodwork and Charles De Ketelaere twice going close to putting the tie beyond the French outfit before Lookman broke the deadlock from distance.

Iliman Ndiaye lobbed wide with a gilt-edged chance to level for the visitors following the restart and he was made to pay on 52 minutes when Matteo Ruggeri played a one-two with Lookman and rifled a stunning strike into the top corner.

Marseille almost seized a lifeline when Jordan Veretout’s deep free-kick was misjudged by La Dea keeper Juan Musso, but it cannoned back off the crossbar.

Atalanta then put the icing on the cake deep into stoppage time through substitute El Bilal Toure and will now meet Bayer Leverkusen in their first major European final in Dublin on May 22.

The former Everton winger marked a lively performance with a goal and an assist. The 26-year-old linked well with the likes of Scamacca and the impressive Teun Koopmeiners as the Serie A outfit carved out the better openings and deservedly booked their spot in the final.

In the other semi-final, Leverkusen struck a stoppage-time equaliser to snatch a 2-2 draw against Roma at the BayArena which extended their unbeaten run to a record 49 games as Xabi Alonso’s side secured a place in the Europa League final.

Roma had been trailing 2-0 from the first leg but forced their way back into the tie against the newly-crowned Bundesliga champions when Leandro Paredes converted a penalty in each half.

However, an own goal from Roma defender Gianluca Mancini with eight minutes left edged Leverkusen back in front overall.

Leverkusen will head to Dublin for the final on May 22, where they will meet Italian side Atalanta, having surpassed the record an Eusebio-led Benfica side held for the longest unbeaten run since the start of European competition.