'This season, we've been very strong' - Lookman fires warning to Bayer Leverkusen ahead of UEL final 

The first of this season's European final will take place on Wednesday night at the Dublin Arena with Atalanta seeking to make history by winning their first European competition.

Ademola Lookman and his Atalanta teammates are facing a Bayer Leverkusen team who could potentially go fifty-three games unbeaten by the time the season ends and have the chance of winning the treble. 

The Nigerian international emphasized that Atalanta must perform at their peak to prevent Bayer Leverkusen from clinching the Europa League title.

Lookman was the standout performer as Atalanta booked their place in the final with a 3-0 rout of Marseille in the semifinal, second leg of the Europa League, registering a goal and assist. 

The former Everton man could be facing his international teammates in Dubin tonight as both Nathan Tella and Victor Boniface have been  included in Bayer Leverkusen's provisional squad for the Europa League showpiece. 

Speaking to Atalanta's official website on Tuesday, Lookman said: "A big occasion for us as a club, as players, as a team, so I'm looking forward to it. We need to be at the top of our game. We know that coming into the tie against a top team, we play top football.

"Like we've shown this season we play our football to the best of our abilities and we do the necessary."

Lookman has played an incredible amount of games this season and has achieved major milestones, helping Atalanta reach the Coppa Italia and Europa League final.

Atalanta are having a remarkable season themselves as they have secured a place in next season's UEFA Champions League heading into the final round of matches in the Serie A. 

"This season, we have been very, very strong, in the league, Coppa Italia, Europa League.

"Two finals, it has been a great season. We need to finish the job tomorrow and get the win for the club and fans," he concluded. 

Bayer Leverkusen won the Europa League in 1988 when it was called the UEFA Cup and it was a two-legged affair against Espanyol, while Atalanta, by contrast, are set to play in their first European final. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com