Atalanta boss Gasperini 'hugely proud' to end Italy's 25-year Europa League drought

atalanta boss gasperini 'hugely proud' to end italy's 25-year europa league drought

Atalanta's Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman celebrates with the trophy after winning during the UEFA Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen at the Dublin Arena stadium, on May 22. - AFP

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini is proud of bringing the Europa League trophy to Italy after 25 "cursed" years, the coach said after his side's emphatic 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the final.

Ademola Lookman's stunning hat-trick helped Atalanta secure a second major trophy in their 117-year history in the final in Dublin on Wednesday.

They became the first Italian club to win the competition since Parma in 1999, when it was known as the UEFA Cup.

"Hugely proud for all of Italy, because it was a cursed trophy, even if it was only Inter and Roma who made the final over the last 25 years and lost," Gasperini told reporters.

"Having won it with Atalanta is perhaps one of those footballing fairytales that very rarely happen and it does show there's still room for meritocracy in football.

"There's still room for ideas, and it doesn't only come down to numbers and the super league (clubs)."

The club, founded in 1907, has a long and rich history intertwined with the northern Italian city of Bergamo. In 2020, Bergamo became an epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The severity of the outbreak reported a death rate five times higher than in previous years and wreaked havoc on its economy.

Asked what it means to the people of Bergamo after the challenges of the pandemic, he said: "It's hard to erase certain scares even if a number of years have since passed by. They were very painful moments.

"The people of Bergamo were always ready to react even when it got tough. Of course, we won't be able to do away with all of that pain, but I think we have managed to put a smile on the faces of the people of Bergamo."

OTHER NEWS

20 minutes ago

Millionaire residents fury that town has turned into dumping ground

20 minutes ago

Bears D-line gets poor ranking ahead of 2024 season

20 minutes ago

Cole Palmer speaks after making Euros debut against Slovenia

23 minutes ago

Claim Trump can make tips tax-free needs context

23 minutes ago

Whistleblower's attorney says Baylor St. Luke's heart surgeons were routinely double or triple-booking surgeries

24 minutes ago

Israelis' lawsuit says UN agency helps Hamas by paying Gaza staff in dollars

25 minutes ago

Kylian Mbappé scores but encounters issues wearing protective mask on return for France at Euro 2024

25 minutes ago

Inflation expected to ‘slightly rise’ in May

25 minutes ago

Almost half of people on antidepressants could quit

25 minutes ago

Einhorn’s Greenlight Slams ‘Head of Macro’ in Fresh Lawsuit

25 minutes ago

Packers Rookie Preview: Kitan Oladapo

25 minutes ago

International court issues warrants over Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians

25 minutes ago

Issues about nuclear waste are a 'smokescreen'

25 minutes ago

Video: Hawaii becomes the first US state to have an official hand gesture - here's how you do it

28 minutes ago

Argentina vs. Chile live score: Copa America 2024 updates, result as Lionel Messi faces second group match

28 minutes ago

Do the dividends from AMP shares come fully franked?

28 minutes ago

Australians ‘choosing between heating and eating’ this winter

28 minutes ago

Mortgage portability: A solution to the housing market's 'lock-in effect'?

28 minutes ago

‘Doors open to everybody else’ if Senator Payman ‘allowed to slip through’

28 minutes ago

‘Creation is Not a Democracy’: Why Panerai’s Design Philosophy is Staunchly Unapologetic

28 minutes ago

'Winning again feels special' says Hatton after seizing maiden LIV Golf title in Nashville

28 minutes ago

Luka Modric speaks out on retirement as Croatia near Euro 2024 exit

28 minutes ago

Mums tackling childcare waiting list stress gather their own data to put solutions on the table

28 minutes ago

Volkswagen And Rivian Are Teaming Up On Software In $5 Billion Deal

28 minutes ago

Furyk and Weir set to square off in biennial 2024 President’s Cup in Canada

28 minutes ago

Judge Cannon is skeptical that evidence from Mar-a-Lago should be thrown out

28 minutes ago

Arkansas AG sues Temu over alleged ‘deceptive tactics’ harming consumers: 'Data theft business'

30 minutes ago

Game 7 Of Stanley Cup Final Posts Historic TV Numbers As Florida Panthers Edge Connor McDavid’s Oilers For First NHL Title

30 minutes ago

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange pleads guilty

30 minutes ago

Video: Gary Neville slams 'BASIC' England and admits bore draw with Slovenia was a 'struggle to watch' - as he names the one player 'certain' to start in the last-16

31 minutes ago

Freeland says Canada is looking at surtax on Chinese EVs

31 minutes ago

Julian Assange: The enigmatic WikiLeaks founder who divides opinion

31 minutes ago

Vikings Links: Could the Vikings sit JJ McCarthy for more than one season?

31 minutes ago

Chris Bowen lashes Coalition’s ‘half-baked yellow cake’ nuclear plan

31 minutes ago

Labor’s renewable plan ‘so well behind schedule’: Sussan Ley

31 minutes ago

Chiefs News: Kansas City to Partner With Hallmark on Original Romance Movie

31 minutes ago

'I Want To Be Ready!' Jets' McDonald Preparing for Breakout

31 minutes ago

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson explains controversial selection calls

31 minutes ago

Does Commanders 'Aggressive' Offseason Mean They Rank With Texans?

31 minutes ago

Dr Doireann O'Leary on the triggers that cause acne in women way past their teens