Bayern Munich defender Josip Stanišić has revisited the somber memories of the 2024 UEFA Europa League final as he prepares for a high-stakes European encounter. The Croatian international, who was part of the Bayer Leverkusen squad that suffered a definitive 3-0 defeat to Atalanta in Dublin, took the opportunity to analyze the pivotal role played by Ademola Lookman in that historic result.
The final remains a significant milestone in continental football, as Lookman’s extraordinary hat-trick secured Atalanta’s maiden European trophy and simultaneously shattered Leverkusen’s unprecedented 51-match unbeaten streak. Stanišić, who featured during the opening 45 minutes of that contest, was candid about his personal struggles in containing the Nigerian forward’s clinical offensive displays and relentless work rate.
During a pre-match press conference ahead of Bayern’s Champions League fixture against the Bergamo-based side, Stanišić offered a frank assessment of his performance that night, as documented by Gazzetta:
“It still hurts a bit when I think about that loss. Lookman was outstanding, and I also played a part by giving him a lot of space. I don’t want to play like that tomorrow,” he added.
While Stanišić focuses on defensive redemption in his latest continental assignment, the protagonist of that Dublin final has since embarked on a new chapter. Following a successful tenure in Italy, Lookman finalized a high-profile transfer to Atlético Madrid during the recent winter window. The Super Eagles star is slated to continue his European campaign on Tuesday, as the Spanish side prepares for a crucial UEFA Champions League meeting with Tottenham Hotspur.
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