After a tense campaign in the Europa League with upsets and controversies almost every gameweek, two teams have held firm to battle it out for the trophy this week In Dublin. Xabi Alonso’s unbeaten Leverkusen will hope to secure their second silverware of the season while Atalanta aim to spoil the party with the first European title in the clubs history.
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Read on as we preview the first of the European Cup finals and let you know how we think it’ll go.
Atalanta Vs Bayer Leverkusen
Wednesday 22nd May 8pm
Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
Live on TNT Sports
Atalanta vs Bayer Leverkusen Preview
Atalanta have not had it easy in this year’s Europa League, needing to beat Sporting, Marseille and Liverpool to reach this week’s final. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have been relentless with their man-to-man, deep press causing major problems that some of Europe’s top teams were unable to solve. This could nullify Bayer’s intensity and give Atalanta the freedom to impose their will on the game. This is testament to their midfield and defensive organisation with key players such as Marten De Roon and Teun Koopmeiners, able to both effectively support the defence and seamlessly transition to attack.
The industrious defence also allows for wing backs (Usually Holm and Ruggieri) to sit higher up the pitch to add to attacking play. This is where Atalanta shine with creative outlets such as Ademola Lookman, Gianluca Scamacca and Charles De Ketelaere at their disposal. The spread of their goal sources really is testament to the strategic proficiency of Gasparini, with Koopmeiners and Scamacca top scorers with 11 and 12 respectively and De Ketelaere top provider with 6 assists. This really is a well drilled and creative Atalanta side that is capable of threatening anyone, as evidenced by their convincing two leg victory over Premier League title contenders Liverpool. Which included a 3-0 victory at Anfield.
Xabi Alonso’s side have had one of the most impressive season’s of any European team in recent memory. Having wrestled the Bundesliga title from Bayern’s firm grip, they could be on for an unbeaten treble with a victory midweek and another cup win when they face Kaiserslautern in the DFB Pokal this weekend. This will put some ease to nerves rattled by their same feat of 2001-02, where they finished as runners up in three competitions, falling short after an otherwise promising season. Since Alonso’s arrival at the start of the season he has impressed tactically, getting the best from an exciting squad that had disappointed in years previous.
They are confident in possession, giving shades of a Pep Guardiola side, dictating the tempo of the game intelligently to create favourable overloads for their creative players. They are compact and organised in midfield, allowing their wingbacks to push on and further pressurise opposition back lines. Short passing with the midfield facing the ball is utilised to draw press before using their wide outlets of Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo. The focus of their tactical build up is to work the ball to Bundesliga Player of the Year, 21 year-old Florian Wirtz.
The German has been one of Europe’s top players this season and is admired by a host of top clubs, and it’s easy to see why. With 11 goals and 11 assists this season, he is dynamic and creative with incredible composure on the ball and a range of passing to rival any of Europe’s top playmakers. A benefit to striker Victor Boniface who is responsible for 23 goals and 8 assists for Bayer this season and a constant source of stress for all of their opponents.
The two sides have faced off once before in the Europa League, with Atalanta coming out on top in a 3-2 thriller back in 2022.
Atalanta Vs Bayer Leverkusen Odds
Our experts have Leverkusen as favourites going into the tie, currently sitting at 1.81. With Atalanta at 4.30 for the win.
Atalanta Vs Bayer Leverkusen Betting Tips
*Odds are correct at time of publication and subject to change.
Cutting it fine
Despite the odds favouring the Germans heavily, Atalanta are not to be overlooked. With an organised team and already showing their strength when faced with top teams, it is by no means a foregone conclusion. If Bayer are to lift the trophy, they’re going to have to work for it. Bayer to win but both teams to score is at 3.65.
Wunderkind
The Werkself’s stand-out player of this incredible season, Florian Wirtz has put himself on the map and cemented his name in the conversation of Europe’s top players. Providing attacking threat and creative flair, we have no doubt he will be a nightmare for the Atlanta defence. Wirtz is 3.85 to score and 8.40 to be the game’s first goalscorer.
Forza Italia
As previously discussed, we are by no means writing off the Nerazzurri in Dublin this wednesday. They have been the scourge of European giants for years and are capable of producing upsets. It is testament to Leverkusen’s season that they go into this match as favourites, but Atalanta will have no fear and no shame in ruining the fairytale. Our most likely score for the Atalanta win is 1-0, which sits at 8.70. With Scamacca the most likely scorer at 3.91.
Atalanta Team News
Predicted Lineup (3-4-1-2) Musso, Bonfanti, Hien, Scalvini, Zappacosta, Pašalić, Koopmeiners, Ruggieri, De Ketelaere, Scamacca, Lookman.
Injuries: Holm (Calf), De Roon (Thigh), Tolói (Thigh), Kolašinac (Thigh)
Bayer Leverkusen Team News
Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1) Hradecky, Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba, Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo, Hoffman, Schick.
Injuries: None
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