The Europa League final is happening tonight at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium in Ireland and it will feature prominent Super Eagles players fighting for European football’s second-best trophy. For the three that would appear, it is a culmination of a season of hard and intelligent work for their clubs Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen, but the question now is which side gets the cup?

Bayer Leverkusen, which has Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella as squad members is close to completing a season unbeaten if they win. At Atalanta, fans are thinking they have got the opportunity to lift a major silverware for the first time since 1963.

Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen have created headlines around the world with their 51-game unbeaten run in all competitions, which has taken them to a first Bundesliga title. This is from a club which had only won the 1988 Uefa Cup and 1993 German Cup.

The Spaniard, in his first full season as a senior manager, said: Our focus is preparing the game, not [as] a special game. We haven’t changed anything, a BBC Sport report shared.

We have played 51 games. The players have understanding. Now is the time to give our best.

We have been preparing for this moment through the whole year. It’s not just today’s job. I have a great team. The players are ready for sure. I have a good feeling it will not be different. We will respect Atalanta but we have confidence in our game.

The two finalists ended British hopes in the Europa League quarter-finals with Bayer Leverkusen knocking out West Ham and Atalanta stunning Liverpool.

Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini, whose side are without captain Marten de Roon through injury, said: I think we are in the best possible condition in a psychological and physical sense.

Leverkusen are a complete team, extremely organised. They are versatile, they can defend and recover the ball well. The results they have achieved this season are not an accident.

We have to respect them and try to adapt quickly to the opponents we are facing.

Getting here

When Atalanta faces 2023/24 Season Bundesliga champions, Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final today, it will be the likes of Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, and Nathan Tella choosing sides for the grand trophy. Let’s talk about their contributions to their clubs so far.

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The Europa League final is set to be a thrilling encounter as Atalanta takes on the Bundesliga champions, Bayer Leverkusen. Among the players stepping onto the pitch, three have particularly stood out this season with their remarkable contributions to their respective clubs: Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, and Nathan Tella.

Ademola Lookman has been a revelation for Atalanta, showcasing his versatility and lethal finishing skills. With a total of 12 goals and 8 assists across all competitions, Lookman has been instrumental in Atalanta’s journey to the Europa League final. His pace and dribbling ability have made him a constant threat on the wing, and his performances in the Europa League, where he netted crucial goals, have been particularly noteworthy.

Victor Boniface has particularly had a stellar season with Bayer Leverkusen, contributing significantly to their Bundesliga triumph. Scoring 21 goals and providing 10 assists, Boniface has been a force to reckon with. His physical presence and clinical finishing have been key to Leverkusen’s attacking prowess. Despite a mid-season injury setback that made him miss Afcon 2023 with the Super Eagles, he bounced back to continue his goal-scoring exploits, proving to be a vital asset for his team.

Nathan Tella, another Nigerian talent at Bayer Leverkusen, has made a significant impact with his dynamic play on the right wing. Tella has found the back of the net 7 times and provided 6 assists in all competitions. His speed and agility have allowed him to beat defenders and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. Tella’s contributions have been crucial in both the Bundesliga and the Europa League, where he has delivered when it mattered the most.

As these three players prepare to face off in the Europa League final, their contributions so far have not only been impressive but also pivotal to their clubs’ successes. It’s a testament to their hard work, skill, and determination.

The final promises to be an exciting showcase of their talents, and fans around the world will be watching eagerly to see who will come out on top and lift the grand trophy.

Ayodele Johnson

Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.