World Cup winners and a former Arsenal captain – meet the Europa League final teams doing battle in Dublin

Bayer Leverkusen

Matej Kovar

Age: 24 Signed: 2023 Nationality: Czech

Signed from Manchester United last summer and has served as back-up to first-choice goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky. Fifteen of his 16 appearances this season have come in cup competitions, keeping five clean sheets on his side’s run to tonight’s final. Earned his first cap last March.

Piero Hincapie

Age: 22 Signed: 2021 Nationality: Ecuadorian

The versatile defender is a regular for his native Ecuador and arrived from Argentina’s CA Talleres in August 2021. He has since established himself as a regular and is set for his 118th appearance for the German outfit tonight.

Jonathan Tah

Age: 28 Signed: 2015 Nationality: German

One of their longest-serving players, the centre-half cut his teeth at Hamburger’s academy and has made more than 350 appearances for Leverkusen. Missed the cut for Germany’s last two World Cup squads but has played every minute of their last seven internationals.

Edmond Tapsoba

Age: 25 Signed: 2020 Nationality: Burkina Faso

The centre-half was a regular in their Bundesliga triumph and scored two group-stage goals on the way to the Dublin decider. Has also won 42 caps for Burkina Faso since his debut in 2016. Faced Shamrock Rovers’ Pico Lopes in the AFCON in 2022.

Alejandro Grimaldo

Age: 28 Signed: 2023 Nationality: Spanish

A left-back, Grimaldo played his youth football at Barcelona before spending seven seasons at Benfica. The Valencia native made the most league assists for his side with 14 this season and added two more in their semi-final win over Roma.

Today's Sports News in 90 Seconds - 22nd May

Granit Xhaka

Age: 31 Signed: 2023 Nationality: Swiss

A name many Irish fans will be familiar with, the midfielder made almost 300 appearances for Arsenal before signing for Alonso last summer. A key figure for Leverkusen, Xhaka is his country’s most-capped player and started all but two league games this term.

Exequiel Palacios

Age: 25 Signed: 2020 Nationality: Argentinian

Having signed from River Plate over four years ago, the midfielder has grown into a key player. Injury saw him sidelined for five weeks earlier this year but he still contributed four goals and four assists in their Bundesliga triumph. Won a World Cup medal in Qatar after making three substitute appearances.

Jeremie Frimpong

Age: 23 Signed: 2021 Nationality: Dutch

Operating on the right side of Leverkusen’s midfield, the Amsterdam native hit nine goals and nine assists on his side’s way to the league title. The ex-Manchester City and Celtic player also found the net in the Europa League quarter-final and last 16.

Florian Wirtz

Age: 21 Signed: 2020 Nationality: German

A highly-rated attacking midfielder, Wirtz has had a fine season with 11 goals and 12 assists in the league, as well as four goals in the Europa League which included a crucial strike in the semi-final. Missed the last World Cup with an ACL injury but has since returned to feature regularly for Germany.

Adam Hlozek

Age: 21 Signed: 2022 Nationality: Czech

The striker has had more luck in front of goal in cup competitions than the Bundesliga this term. Missed the quarter-finals with an ankle injury but is back fit for tonight’s decider, and has earned 31 international caps to date.

Amine Adli

Age: 23 Signed: 2021 Nationality: Moroccan

The winger cut his teeth with Toulouse and made 10 goal contributions in Leverkusen’s league triumph. Earned 12 France U-21 caps before switching allegiance to Morocco last year, where he’s since won nine caps.

Atalanta

Juan Musso

Age: 30 Signed: 2021 Nationality: Argentinian

While Marco Carnesecchi is first-choice, Argentina international Musso has played 11 of Atalanta’s 12 Europa League ties this term, keeping six clean sheets on their run to the decider.

Isak Hien

Age: 25 Signed: 2024 Nationality: Swedish

The centre-half only arrived at the club in January from Hellas Verona but has featured regularly. Struggled with injury last year but returned to the Sweden starting XI last March.

Berat Djimsiti

Age: 31 Signed: 2016 Nationality: Albanian

The Zurich-born Albania international is one of the side’s longest-serving players. The defender was an ever-present this season and stepped in as captain on several occasions as he approaches 250 appearances.

Giorgio Scalvini

Age: 20 Signed: 2021 Nationality: Italian

With captain Marten de Roon sidelined, Italy centre-half Scalvini is likely to get the nod. Made 31 league appearances and returned from injury to feature in both semi-final legs. Eight caps since his debut two years ago.

Ederson

Age: 24 Signed: 2022 Nationality: Brazilian

Has been a key part in the engine room this season with 35 Serie A and 11 Europa league appearances. His form has caught the eye as he earned a first Brazil call-up last weekend.

Teun Koopmeiners

Age: 26 Signed: 2021 Nationality: Dutch

The attacking midfielder has impressed with 12 league goals and five assists this season. Formerly of AZ Alkmaar, Koopmeiners featured twice against Ireland in Euro qualifying last year and has 21 caps to his name.

Davide Zappacosta

Age: 31 Signed: 2021 Nationality: Italian

Won an FA Cup and Europa League with Chelsea before returning to Italy in 2019. After loan spells at Roma and Genoa, the former Italy international (left) has settled at Atalanta and has been a regular fixture this term.

Matteo Ruggeri

Age: 21 Signed: 2020 Nationality: Italian

After biding his time, academy product Ruggeri has established himself as a first-team regular this campaign and hit a crucial goal in their semi-final win over Marseille. Missed the Italy U-21s’ trip to Cork in November through injury.

Charles De Ketelaere

Age: 23 Signed: 2023 (on loan) Nationality: Belgian

The highly-rated number 10 will play his final game for Atalanta here before he returns to parent club AC Milan. Earned his big move from Club Brugge in 2022 and has had a fine campaign with 14 goals and nine assists in all competitions. Also missed his country’s trip to Ireland in March with injury.

Ademola Lookman

Age: 26 Signed: 2022 Nationality: Nigerian

Born in London, he had spells at Everton, RB Leipzig and Leicester but has found his feet in Italy with 27 goals and 16 assists in 75 games so far. Hit an important strike in their semi-final win a fortnight ago.

Gianluca Scamacca

Age: 25 Signed: 2023 Nationality: Italian

After passing through six clubs, the Rome native failed to impress at West Ham last term and departed one season into his five-year deal. The 15-cap striker has had better luck this season with 18 goals, including six on his side’s way to Dublin.

Age: 30 Signed: 2021 Nationality: Argentinian

While Marco Carnesecchi is first-choice, Argentina international Musso has played 11 of Atalanta’s 12 Europa League ties this term, keeping six clean sheets on their run to the decider.

Isak Hien

Age: 25 Signed: 2024 Nationality: Swedish

The centre-half only arrived at the club in January from Hellas Verona but has featured regularly. Struggled with injury last year but returned to the Sweden starting 11 last March.

Berat Djimsiti

Age: 31 Signed: 2016 Nationality: Albanian

The Zurich-born Albania international is one of the side’s longest-serving players. The defender was an ever present this season and stepped in as captain on several occasions as he approaches 250 appearances.

Giorgio Scalvini

Age: 20 Signed: 2021 Nationality: Italian

With captain Marten de Roon sidelined, Italy centre-half Scalvini is likely to get the nod. Made 31 league appearances and returned from injury to feature in both semi-final legs. Eight caps since his debut two years ago.

Ederson

Age: 24 Signed: 2022 Nationality: Brazilian

Has been a key part in the engine room this season with 35 Serie A and 11 Europa league appearances. His form has caught the eye as he earned a first Brazil call-up last weekend.

Teun Koopmeiners

Age: 26 Signed: 2021 Nationality: Dutch

The attacking midfielder has impressed with 12 league goals and five assists this season. Formerly of AZ Alkmaar, Koopmeiners featured twice against Ireland in Euro qualifying last year and has 21 caps to his name.

Davide Zappacosta

Age: 31 Signed: 2021 Nationality: Italian

Won an FA Cup and Europa League with Chelsea before returning to his native Italy in 2019. After loan spells at Roma and Genoa, the former Italy international has settled at Atalanta and been a regular fixture this term.

Matteo Ruggeri

Age: 21 Signed: 2020 Nationality: Italian

After biding his time, academy product Ruggeri has established himself as a first-team regular this campaign and hit a crucial goal in their semi-final win over Marseille. Missed the Italy U-21s’ trip to Cork in November through injury.

Charles De Ketelaere

Age: 23 Signed: 2023 (on loan) Nationality: Belgian

The highly-rated number 10 will play his final game for Atalanta here before he returns to parent club AC Milan. Earned his big move from Club Brugge in 2022 and has had a fine campaign with 14 goals and nine assists in all competitions. Also missed his country’s trip to Ireland in March with injury.

Ademola Lookman

Age: 26 Signed: 2022 Nationality: Nigerian

The London native had spells at Everton, RB Leipzig and Leicester but has found his feet in Italy with 27 goals and 16 assists in 75 games so far. Hit an important strike in their semi-final win a fortnight ago.

Gianluca Scamacca

Age: 25 Signed: 2023 Nationality: Italian

After passing through six clubs, the Rome native failed to impress at West Ham last term and departed one season into his five-year deal. The 15-cap striker has had better luck this season with 18 goals, including six on his side’s way to Dublin.