Atalanta vs Bayer Leverkusen Predictions

• Leverkusen have seen both teams score in five of their last seven in Europe
• Atalanta have scored in 11 of their 12 games in the Europa League, netting 22 times
• Scamacca has scored six goals in seven games in Europe
• The Italian forward has netted in each of Atalanta’s away knockout games, at Sporting, Liverpool and Marseille

Leverkusen two games shy of immortality

Bayer Leverkusen have already recorded an unbeaten Bundesliga campaign, winning the title for the first time in their history. That’s enough for Xabi Alonso to go down in folklore for the club, but they are on the verge of an unbeaten treble. Leverkusen are in the German Cup final on Saturday, but first they face Atalanta in Wednesday’s Europa League final.

Dublin plays host to a fascinating game, as Atalanta are living their own fairytale. Their rise under Gian Piero Gasperini has been incredible, with the club becoming one of the top teams in Italy. Their next step is silverware, which was denied in last week’s Coppa Italia loss to Juventus. However, they won’t simply roll over for a Bayer side on the verge of history.

Tough challenge for Alonso

There’s no doubt Leverkusen are the best side in Germany, which is impressive given the Bundesliga had two Champions League semi-finalists this term. However, their run to Dublin hasn’t provided a test like the one Atalanta will provide.

Leverkusen topped a group containing Hacken, Molde and Qarabag, before reuniting with the Azerbaijani side in a 5-4 aggregate win in the last 16. They went on to beat West Ham and Roma on their way, seeing off two teams who tend to set up with a defence-first approach.

Atalanta are different, they’re a side who take risks. That’s paid off for them on their way to the final, as they’ve had a tricky run. They had to pip Portuguese champions Sporting to top spot in their group, before eliminating them 3-2 in the last 16. They shocked favourites Liverpool with a 3-0 win at Anfield and they braved the intensity of the Velodrome, beating Marseille 4-1 on aggregate. There’s little fear here for la Dea, they’ll take the game to the German champions.

Lively clash at the Aviva

Leverkusen have scored in all 12 of their games in Europe this term and they should add to that in the final. However, this Atalanta side will threaten, having scored 22 times across their 12 matches in this competition.

La Dea have scored in all but one of their games, only failing to find the net in the second leg against Liverpool when they were already 3-0 ahead. That was also the only game they’ve lost in Europe this term. Gasperini’s side are the third-highest scorers in Serie A with 67 goals in 36 games and they can trouble Leverkusen.

The Italian side have the highest-scoring player left in the competition in Gianluca Scamacca, who has six goals in his last seven games in Europe. The forward has scored 10 times across his last 15 matches for Atalanta and given that he has scored vital goals away to Sporting, Liverpool and Marseille, he can net in Dublin.

Leverkusen have seen both teams score in five of their last seven in Europe and two of their previous three have been score draws. The German side should avoid defeat in 90 minutes again, but Atalanta will push the pace and make the favourites uncomfortable, so back a 2-2 draw.

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