Two admired coaches at opposite ends of their careers with shared values of loyalty to their overachieving small-city clubs. Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso and Atalanta's Gian Piero Gasperini will send out their teams for the Europa League final Wednesday in Dublin.
Atalanta’s head coach Gian Piero Gasperini watches his team during a training session one day ahead of the Europa League soccer Final between Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, Tuesday, May 21, 2024 . Leverkusen’s head coach Xabi Alonso celebrates as his team won the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and FC Augsburg at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, May 18, 2024.
The Atalanta coach had his own experience earning a chance to coach a former European champion, when he was hired by Inter Milan in 2011. It lasted three months and five games until he was fired. Gasperini quickly realized what he had with Atalanta, which had not played in a European competition for the 25 previous seasons before he was appointed. He said in 2017 “people love me in Bergamo, the club and fans appreciate me as a person and there is no point leaving a situation like that.”
Asked Tuesday about picking a good time to go, Gasperini said: “We don’t have crystal balls, you never know what the right time is.
Soccer Gian Piero Gasperini Bayer Leverkusen Atalanta Bergamo Sports - Europe Sports Bayern Munich S Liverpool FC
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Leverkusen rallies late in draw with Roma to preserve unbeaten record and reach Europa League finalBayer Leverkusen had a double reason to celebrate in stoppage time. Not only did it secure a place in the Europa League final and keep its treble bid on course but Josip Stanišić’s late goal preserved its remarkable unbeaten record as Leverkusen rescued a 2-2 draw against Roma.
Read more »
Leverkusen reach Europa League final with late comeback against RomaBayer Leverkusen staged a remarkable late comeback to move into the Europa League final with a 2-2 draw at home to AS Roma on Thursday as they won 4-2 on aggregate and set the longest unbeaten run in all competitions including European matches.
Read more »
Bayer Leverkusen produces astonishing comeback to go 49 games unbeaten and reach Europa League finalBayer Leverkusen’s remarkable season took another extraordinary turn on Thursday as a late 2-2 draw against AS Roma stretched the club’s unbeaten run to 49 games.
Read more »
Leverkusen tracking star midfielder Florian Wirtz's fitness ahead of Europa League finalBayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso says the team is evaluating attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz’s fitness day by day ahead of three crucial games including the Europa League final.
Read more »
Atalanta vs Leverkusen Predictions and Picks for Europa League FinalGet Atalanta vs Leverkusen predictions, picks, and odds for 5-22, plus Europa League Final best bets and same-game parlay analysis.
Read more »
Bayer Leverkusen's two steps from soccer immortality start in Europa League final against AtalantaBayer Leverkusen is potentially two games from immortality in European soccer. The new champion of Germany has two cup finals in four days to complete a previously unthinkable unbeaten season. It starts Wednesday in the Europa League against Atalanta in Dublin.
Read more »