This is Bayer 04's third appearance in a major European final (after 1987/88 and 2001/02), and Atalanta's first. The two clubs have met twice in competitive matches so far, with the Italians winning both encounters in the round of 16 of the 2021/22 Europa League campaign.
Atalanta can also become the first Italian team to win the Europa League. So far, only clubs from Spain, Portugal, England and Germany have been victorious in the competition. The last Italian team to win the UEFA Cup (predecessor to the UEFA Europa League) was Parma in the 1998/99 season.
Today's venue, the Dublin Arena has previously hosted one Europa League final, in the 2010/11 season. Back then, Porto and Sporting Braga contested an all-Portuguese final, with Porto winning 1-0. Outside of UEFA competitions, the ground is known as the "Aviva Stadium". It's shaped like a horseshoe and is the second largest stadium in Ireland.
A week ago, Atalanta suffered a painful 1-0 defeat against Juventus in the final of the Coppa Italia. Three days later, however, they were successful in their dress rehearsal for today's Europa League final: the Black & Blues won 2-0 at U.S. Lecce to secure a fifth-place finish in Serie A. The Italians, for whom former Leverkusen defender Mitchel Bakker has also been playing since the start of the season, have thus already achieved their first major goal with two matchdays still to go: qualification for the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League. With head coach Gian Piero Gasperini in charge, Atalanta will be competing in Europe's premier club competition for the fourth time. The 66-year-old has been at the helm of the side since 2016. Our in-depth opposition profile has everything else you need to know about the club from Lombardy.
Like the Werkself, Atalanta ended the group stage without defeat. Bayer 04 went on to beat Qarabag in the round of 16, West Ham United in the quarter-finals and Roma in the semi-finals. For their part, the Italians defeated Sporting Lisbon in the round of 16. They then knocked out Liverpool in the quarter-finals before going on to book their place in the final against Marseille.
UEFA have appointed Romanian referee István Kovács for the match in Dublin. The 39-year-old will be assisted by his compatriots Vasile Florin Marinescu and Mihai Ovidiu Artene on the touchline, while VAR duties will be carried out by Dutchman Pol van Boekel.
Calling all Werkself fans: Even during the three-week international break – a first for September and October – you have the chance to visit the BayArena – and for a very special occasion. Bayer 04 is hosting a Health Day on Saturday 3 October, from 10:00 to 14:00 CEST in the Premium Lounge. Together with Bayer Vital and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, the Bundesliga club invites you to an interactive, free event centred on the theme of health. Partners will be present on site with their own exciting activities. Here is an overview of the programme of events.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 2-1 win at SC Freiburg on Matchday 5 of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 2-0 win against RB Leipzig on Matchday 4 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season...
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Bayer 04 produced an impressive display from start to finish as they maintained their perfect home record this season with a 2-0 win over RB Leipzig on Bundesliga Matchday 4. Patrik Schick opened the scoring just before half-time, with Miguel Gutiérrez getting his first Werkself goal to wrap up the three points at the BayArena, where fans also got to enjoy the family matchday activities.
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Bayer 04 Women made it a perfect three wins from three away games in the 2026/27 Google Pixel Bundesliga after Estrella Merino Gonzalez struck a late winner at Freiburg on Sunday. Cornelia Kramer had earlier scored an own goal for the hosts before making amends with a penalty at the right end before the hour mark.
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