Djimsiti and Pasalic saw Atalanta go from relegation strugglers to Euro triumph

Berat Djimsiti joined Atalanta when they were ‘playing to avoid relegation’ and is now a Europa League winner, while Mario Pasalic feels it ‘makes up’ for losing three finals.

La Dea were the underdogs going into the Europa League Final in Dublin on Wednesday evening, as Bayer Leverkusen were unbeaten in 51 competitive games and had marched undefeated to the Bundesliga.

However, it was a totally dominant performance, as Ademola Lookman’s hat-trick sealed a 3-0 victory, only the second piece of silverware in Atalanta’s history after the 1963 Coppa Italia.

“It’s hard to find the words at this moment, I can hardly realise what we did,” Djimsiti told Sky Sport Italia.

“Such a huge success, especially after losing the Coppa Italia Final a week ago and our mood was not good, as we didn’t play well. However, right now I don’t care that we lost those other three finals, because we won this one!”

Although he was the captain on the night, Djimsiti handed the Europa League trophy over to Marten de Roon and Rafael Toloi to lift.

“I have been here for eight years and I was the captain tonight, but Toloi and De Roon are ahead of me. I was proud to know I would wear the armband today, but everyone gives their absolute all.

“We played so well tonight and fully deserved it, there was no doubt this evening. Maybe the motto from the fans ‘beyond the result’ was because we never won! But they supported us continually, even through the lost finals, and they all deserve this success.”

It has been a remarkable process for Atalanta, who have been totally transformed by coach Gian Piero Gasperini since his arrival in 2016.

“When I first arrived, Atalanta were playing to avoid relegation,” concluded Djimsiti.

“Bringing in Gasperini and this new philosophy, he always wants to improve players and get the best out of everyone, over the years I started to imagine we could win a trophy. Maybe not the Europa League, I had hoped for the Coppa Italia, as we came close three times.”

Djimsiti and Pasalic saw Atalanta change over years

Pasalic has also been with Atalanta for a long time and he has experienced the heartache that came with those close calls, losing three Coppa Italia Finals, the most recent only a week ago with Juventus.

“We lost three finals, it was tough, but we won the most important trophy and that makes up for everything,” Pasalic told Sky Sport Italia.

“This was a team that had not lost in 51 games, we knew it would be tough, but we proved over the years we can beat anyone. Defeating a Bayer Leverkusen team in this form 3-0 is incredible.

“Over the years, the fans showed us so much love and support, so we are happy to bring back the trophy for them.”