Jurgen Klinsmann joins"ESPN FC" to break down how Atalanta was able to end Bayer Leverkusen's unbeaten run and win the Europa League final.
Until they arrived in Dublin, attempting to seal the second leg of an unbeaten treble, they had played 51 games without defeat in all competitions, a timespan of 361 days stretching back to aFrom start to finish, Atalanta dominated.
Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen side had their 51-game unbeaten streak broken after losing 3-0 to Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League final. with goals in the 88th and 91st minute, while in the home leg of their Europa League tie against Qarabag, they fought back from 2-0 to win 3-2 with goals in the 72nd, 93rd and 98th minute.
But while there was no panic, there was also no urgency. Alonso's players looked heavy-legged, lacking in belief. They barely created a chance, despitedoing his best to spark his team into life. Just as Liverpool were made to look lethargic and one-dimensional by Atalanta in their 3-0 defeat at Anfield in the quarterfinal first leg, Leverkusen fell into the same trap and ended up looking very ordinary.