Ones to watch: The key figures in Dublin for Europa League final

Bayer Leverkusen take on Atalanta on Wednesday night at the Aviva Stadium.

BAYER NEVERLOSING: Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz watches the ball during a training session. Pic credit: AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth.

Ederson (Atalanta) 

Ederson has been linked with a Premier League move this summer and it's easy to see why.

Only Morten Frendrup (131) has made more tackles than the Atalanta ball winner (80) in Serie A this season and he's been just as important in the Italian side's run to the Europa League final.

He'll be key if Atalanta are to contain this rampant Bayer Leverkusen and in the process return to Italy with a first European trophy.

Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta) 

With Ederson vital in keeping Bayer's attack at bay, Gian Piero Gasperini will task Gianluca Scamacca with breaching a defence that has conceded just 10 goals in 12 Europa League games this season. 

Only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (10) and Romelu Lukaku (7) have scored more goals than Scamacca (6) in the 2023/24 Europa League campaign.

Five of those have come in the knockout round of the competition with the 25-year-old shining when it matters.

Atalanta's Gianluca Scamacca in action during a training session at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin ahead of the UEFA Europa League final. Photo credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire.

Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) 

Having been influential in Bayer Leverkusen's title success, Florian Wirtz will look to continue his superb form in Dublin on Wednesday night.

Wirtz has made more key passes (29) than any other player in the competition this season, those contributing to his four assists, that ranking fifth.

Give him an inch and he'll take a mile, and Atalanta need to keep the 21-year-old in check if they are to stop Bayer in their tracks.

Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen) 

Wirtz isn't the only creative star in the Bayer ranks. Alex Grimaldo has proven one of the best free signings in Bundesliga history having scored 10 and laid on 13 assists this season.

While his attacking output has lessened in the Europa League, with just five goal involvements, Grimaldo is incredibly important to the way Xabi Alonso's side play.

Bombarding up the left flank, the Spaniard will stretch this Atalanta backline if given the chance.

Matej Kovar (Bayer Leverkusen) 

A lack of regular game time hasn't impacted Matej Kovar's performances between the sticks in the Europa League.

The young shot-stopper ranks fourth for saves (37), boasts the second best save success rate (81.8%) and has kept the joint-most clean sheets (5) in the competition.

While some may look to their tried and tested for finals, Xabi Alonso is set to keep faith in Kovar against Atalanta and the Czech goalkeeper will certainly justify his selection.