The 2024 Europa League final promises to be thrilling, with Nigerian stars Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, and Nathan Tella vying for glory. Ademola Lookman of Atalanta will take on Bayer Leverkusen’s dynamic duo, Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella, in a match set to captivate football fans.
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The Road to the Final
Ademola Lookman played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s journey to the final. In the semifinal against Marseille, Lookman opened the scoring in a commanding 3-0 victory, securing a 4-1 aggregate win. Lookman has been in impressive form this season, netting 12 goals and providing 8 assists.
Bayer Leverkusen has had a historic season, making Bundesliga history by clinching their first-ever title without a single defeat. In the Europa League semifinals, Leverkusen edged past Roma with a 4-2 aggregate win, thanks to two late goals in the second leg. Although Boniface and Tella were unused substitutes in that match, they have been crucial throughout the season. Boniface has scored 21 goals and provided 10 assists despite a three-month injury layoff, while Tella has contributed with 7 goals and 6 assists.
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A victory for Atalanta would end a 61-year wait for a major trophy, a triumph that has eluded them despite reaching three Coppa Italia finals in the past six seasons. Their most recent defeat came against Juventus just a week ago.
Leverkusen aims to build on its unprecedented Bundesliga success and shed its reputation for falling short in finals, a stigma dating back to the 2001/02 season when it was runners-up in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League.
Nigerian Legacy in the Europa League
Regardless of the result, a Nigerian will lift the Europa League trophy. This adds to the rich history of Nigerian success in the competition. Victor Moses won it twice with Chelsea (2013 and 2019), John Mikel Obi with Chelsea in 2013, and Samuel Chukwueze most recently with Villarreal in 2021.
This final highlights the talent of Nigerian footballers and their growing influence in European football.
