Bayer Leverkusen vs Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League final in Dublin, Bayer Leverkusen could clinch their second cup of the historic 2023/24 season.
Atalanta vs Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa League final 2023/24 at Dublin Arena Stadium in the Republic of Ireland at 2:00 AM on May 23, 2024.
Both clubs participating in the C2 Cup final have their own clear goals. So what is the driving force behind each team's desire to win?
A season towards greatness!
To say that Bayer Leverkusen is at the pinnacle of greatness is not entirely accurate, despite becoming the first unbeaten club in Germany's Bundesliga season.
Xabi Alonso's troops will continue to play the role of conquerors in this memorable season in Dublin, if they can overcome Atalanta in the C2 Cup final, after their last UEFA Cup victory dating back to 1988.
Xabi Alonso is expected to have the strongest lineup at his disposal, with Florian Wirtz recovering from a minor thigh injury and Odilon Kossounou returning from a minor incident he encountered in the last Bundesliga match.
[caption id="attachment_5620" align="alignnone" width="600"] Victor Boniface consistently fires shots at the opponent's goal in every match. Photo: Getty[/caption]
The Bundesliga top scorer and last season's Europa League top scorer, Victor Boniface, is completely fit and ready to partner with Patrik Schick in the attacking line. They are the key factors behind Bayer Leverkusen's success at Bay Arena, and clearly, there is no reason to stop them now.
Enjoying the joy in their own way!
Atalanta has had a great season in their own right, with the Italian club and their fans experiencing a wide range of emotions along the journey they have been on.
The UEFA Europa League final is also very special for Atalanta, aiming for their second title in the club's history, after missing out on that opportunity with a 0-1 defeat to Juventus in the Copa Italia final last week.
Moreover, Atalanta can have even more confidence in facing Bayer Leverkusen, as in this C2 Cup season, they have defeated two much stronger giants than themselves, Marseille and Liverpool.
[caption id="attachment_5621" align="alignnone" width="600"] Atalanta secured victory against Liverpool in the quarterfinals. Photo: This is Anfield[/caption]
Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has certainly been considering for a long time how to become the first team to defeat Leverkusen this season.
Some injury concerns have arisen in Atalanta's defense, with defensive midfielder Marten de Roon and former Schalke center-back Sead Kolasinac undergoing treatment and their availability uncertain.
On the other hand, captain Rafael Toloi has returned from injury and is ready to lead his teammates. Emil Holm, Gianluca Scamacca, and Mitchell Bakker are likely to be named on the substitutes' bench.
Projected lineups:
Bayer Leverkusen: Kovar, Kossonou, Tah (C), Tapsoba, Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo, Wirtz, Schick, Adli.Atalanta: Carnesecchi, Toloi (C), Djimsiti, Hien, Hateboer, Ederson, Pasalic, Ruggeri, Koopmeiners, De Ketelaere, Scamacca Ra.
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