Ademola Lookman admits a hat-trick to win the Europa League for Atalanta against previously invincible Bayer Leverkusen was ‘one of the best nights of my life.’
The striker was not even expected to be in the starting XI this evening, but was picked in an all-attack formation along with Gianluca Scamacca, Charles De Ketelaere and Teun Koopmeiners.
It proved a masterstroke from Gian Piero Gasperini, because Lookman scored all three goals in the 3-0 triumph in Dublin, annihilating the Bayer Leverkusen side who were unbeaten in 51 official matches.
“It’s one of the best nights of my life,” Lookman told TNT Sports after receiving his inevitable Man of the Match trophy.
“It was an amazing performance from the team. We did it – fantastic. I’m just happy we won. We made history tonight.”
It was also “third time lucky” after Atalanta lost the Coppa Italia Final 1-0 to Juventus a week ago, and the player’s Nigeria lost the Africa Cup of Nations trophy.