Werkself review #ATAB04: 'We'll be back at our best on Saturday!'

Summary: No way through - Atalanta clinical

The Werkself started aggressively but gave away possession too frequently in their play. In the 12th minute, the German champions fell behind to Ademola Lookman, who then made it 2-0 to Atalanta just over 10 minutes later with a precise shot. The Black-and-Reds got more into the game towards the end of the first half, but the Italian side were alert in their defending and allowed very few attempts on goal. In the second half, head coach Xabi Alonso tried with several changes, but even with fresh legs there was no way through for his team. As Leverkusen committed more bodies forward, they were hit on the counter. Lookman was on hand to make it 3-0 with a powerful strike, the forward sealing his hat-trick and the win for La Dea.

Reaction: 'Very proud of the connection with the fans'

Managing director for sport Simon Rolfes said afterwards: "It hurts a lot today. We've shown many times this season that we can overcome difficult situations. Unfortunately that wasn't the case today, but we'll be back at our best on Saturday!" Rolfes also thanked the fans for their phenomenal support throughout this Europa League campaign: "They had the right sense during the game. We're very proud that we've developed such a connection with the fans and are very grateful for their support." After the game, the whole team stood in front of the Leverkusen end as the Bayer 04 supporters honoured the performances on this emotional Europa League journey with loud applause and chanting.

Alonso commented afterwards: "We had a bad day today. It hurts massively that it happened in an important match but we have to accept that. We didn't want to change our style of play but it didn't function well today. We had some problems and will learn a lot from this match. You don't forget a final."

Jonathan Tah also gave his reaction: "The disappointment is huge. We didn't use the spaces that were offered to us. Atalanta did it better." Jeremie Frimpong saw it similarly: "We're very disappointed, we've lost a final. Atalanta were the better team, they deserved to win. We didn't create enough chances and Atalanta did." Granit Xhaka explained: "When you lose, a lot of things are lacking. Disappointment is part of it and that's how it should be tonight, maybe tomorrow as well. But then we have to go into the final against Kaiserslautern fired up. We want to win in Berlin!"

Press review: Werkself 'unexpectedly nervous'

kicker described the Werkself's display as "sleepy" and "laboured", but also wrote: "The dream of the treble and the perfect season was crushed in Dublin, but Bayer 04 Leverkusen's achievement can still not be praised highly enough. A season that's hard to describe with superlatives." Bild said: "An inexplicable number of misplaced passes, numerous lost tackles - and sometimes just plain sleepy.’ The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger summarised: "Atalanta followed a clear plan throughout the match and were able to prevail against the German champions. The Werkself, on the other hand, never found their rhythm and were guilty of numerous inaccuracies."

The Rheinische Post, meanwhile, highlighted the great support of the Bayer 04 fans: "Even during the warm-up, they covered the arena in a sea of black and red flags and loudly sang for their heroes." On the events on the pitch, the RP wrote: "Bayer began unexpectedly nervous. The Werkself clearly struggled with the aggressive pressing of the Bergamasks."

Personnel: Kovar a rock, Adli prominent

Alejandro Grimaldo made his 50th appearance in all competitions for Bayer 04 against Atalanta. Meanwhile, Frimpong boasts the fastest speed at the end of this Europa League season with 34.5 km/h. Matej Kovar stands in joint first for clean sheets. Amine Adli played the most minutes for the Werkself in the competition.

Statistics: Three goals conceded for first time

The Werkself were superior in some stats, such as possession (67%) and number of passes (675 to 333). It wasn't enough in the end, though. It wasn't just the first time that Leverkusen have lost this season but also the first time they've conceded three goals. Atalanta, on the other hand, were clinical, with both teams registering 10 attempts on goal.

Looking ahead: The second final

Next stop: Berlin. On Saturday 25 May (kick-off 20:00 CEST), Bayer 04 take on 1. FC Kaiserslautern in the DFB Pokal final at Berlin's Olympiastadion. It's the last competitive fixture of the 2023/24 season.