Leverkusen won their first Bundesliga title and are on course for a remarkable treble without losing in 51 games this season.
Atalanta also enjoyed a memorable campaign, clinching their first European final, qualifying for next season’s Champions League and narrowly squandering the Coppa Italy final against Juventus last week.
“They have had the best season so far. I don’t need to say they have flaws, but each and every team is beatable,” De Roon, who will miss the game due to injury, said Tuesday.
“They seem invincible, but we can replace things. “
Under the tutelage of Gian Piero Gasperini, Atalanta went from being a provincial club in the shadow of neighboring giants AC Milan and Inter Milan to being a regular in European competitions.
However, they have not been able to end a 61-year wait to win a trophy.
“The whole point is that we need to win the game. With or without me, it doesn’t matter which way the trophy is lifted,” De Roon added.
“We will do everything in our power to achieve this. “
Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has rejected advances by former Liverpool and Bayern Munich clubs to sign for the German champions next season.
Gasperini praised the Spaniard’s loyalty to remain at the club that presented him with his first senior training position.
“What Xabi Alonso has done is glorious because with his performances this season he has had the opportunity to move to several big clubs,” he said.
“But he thought the club (Leverkusen) believed in me when I wasn’t so well regarded. “
Atalanta had two of its European nights on the way to Dublin, eliminating Liverpool in the quarterfinals and Marseille in the quarterfinals.
Gasperini hopes those feats will give his players confidence and end Leverkusen’s streak.
“We are aware that we are facing a wonderful team. We know that they are undefeated and we know that they have had a season,” said the 66-year-old coach.
“But our run was also very smart, as we beat some very strong groups to reach the final. We also have conviction. “