News in English

Forgotten Premier League star ‘sends Granit Xhaka to a retirement home’ with genius moment in Europa League final

ADEMOLA LOOKMAN dented Bayer Leverkusen’s undefeated hopes and Granit Xhaka’s ego in one fell swoop in the Europa League final.

The Atalanta star pulled off a superb bit of skill before dispatching a stunning goal to put his side 2-0 up just 26 minutes into the final.

AFP
Ademola Lookman tore apart Granit Xhaka with a superb bit of skill in the Europa League final[/caption]
TNT SPORTS
Lookman charged at Xhaka with the ball[/caption]
TNT SPORTS
He shifted the ball straight through Xhaka’s legs[/caption]
TNT SPORTS
The skill opened up a pocket of space and Lookman took full advantage, putting his side 2-0 up[/caption]
Getty
Fans have torn into Granit Xhaka online[/caption]

Lookman had already put the Italian’s 1-0 up after 11 minutes and added his brace to put his side well and truly in the driver’s seat.

It was his second goal that caught the eye though with the former Leicester and Charlton attacker putting the ball through Granit Xhaka‘s legs to set up the chance.

Lookman shifted his weight perfectly to see the ball roll through the ex-Arsenal midfielder’s legs and tee up a long-distance effort.

He then struck the ball with some serious venom to find the bottom corner and net past Matej Kovar.

Fans couldn’t believe the brilliance of the move and took to social media to berate Xhaka for his defensive efforts.

One wrote: “Lookman’s sent Xhaka to a retirement home there.”

While another added: “Lookman just sent Xhaka back to Arsenal.”

A third joked: “Granit Xhaka has brought his inner Arsenal this game.”

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

And a fourth chimed in, writing: “Xhaka is having the stinkiest stinkers ever.”

An Atalanta win would put an end to Leverkusen’s dreams of completing an undefeated treble and etching their name into the history books.

Xabi Alonso‘s side already wrapped up the Bundesliga without losing a game this season – finishing 17 points ahead of second place Stuttgart and 18 points ahead of Bayern Munich in third.

And Leverkusen could win the German cup this weekend when they face second division side FC Kaiserslautern in the final on Saturday.

But that unbeaten treble would need them to win tonight and lift the first European trophy for the club in over 35 years.

A 2-0 half-time deficit now makes that task seem impossible – but Alonso’s men have shown they are the kings of late goals this season already and will know to never say never.

Leverkusen have been behind by two goals FOUR times this season already – losing none of the games.

AP
Lookman had already put Atlanta one up earlier in the first half[/caption]
Reuters
Leverkusen now face an uphill battle to keep their dream alive[/caption]

Читайте на 123ru.net