Joao Pedro’s opener wasn’t enough as a deflected Charles De Ketelaere strike condemned the Blues to a damaging Champions League loss that drops them out of the automatic knockout spots.
Chelsea Take the Lead, Lose the Plot
Chelsea’s Champions League campaign suffered a major jolt on a cold Bergamo night as Atalanta struck late to overturn a 1–0 deficit and snatch a 2–1 victory, leaving Enzo Maresca’s side sliding down to 11th in the league phase standings.
The Blues arrived in Italy with five changes to the team that drew 0–0 with Bournemouth — rotation forced partly by the absence of Cole Palmer, rested to manage workload, and Liam Delap, still injured. Teenager Josh Acheampong was handed a start at right back, while Joao Pedro replaced Delap up front. Moises Caicedo returned since his domestic suspension does not apply in Europe.
The changes initially seemed to pay off. Midway through the first half, Reece James delivered a trademark pinpoint cross and Joao Pedro expertly tucked it home to give Chelsea the lead.
Atalanta Turn Up the Heat
But Atalanta — buoyed by their roaring home crowd and confident recent form — threatened relentlessly. Ademola Lookman, once of Charlton and Everton, tormented Chelsea’s defence down the flanks and set the tone for what became an increasingly one-sided second half.
Why Coups Are Rising Across Africa — A Visual Timeline (2020–2025)
Seven minutes after the restart, Gianluca Scamacca rose highest to head in a well-worked cross, drawing the hosts level. Chelsea responded with their own chance, James firing narrowly wide, but the momentum had already shifted.
Alejandro Garnacho tried to restore Chelsea’s advantage with a fierce drive straight at the keeper, yet Atalanta sensed fragility — and they pounced.
The Gut Punch
With just seven minutes left, the Chelsea defence backed off Charles De Ketelaere at the edge of the box. The Belgian unleashed a driven effort that took a wicked deflection and wrong-footed Robert Sanchez. The Gewiss Stadium erupted. Chelsea’s late push for an equaliser saw Pedro denied by a brilliant Marco Carnesecchi save.
And that was that.
A Costly Slip for the Blues
The defeat sends Chelsea tumbling out of the automatic qualification spots into 11th place with two league phase matches remaining. Atalanta, meanwhile, climb to third — three points clear of the Blues.
Cosmetic economic growth not lifting Nigerians out of poverty, expert tells Tinubu
For Chelsea, the bigger concern is the trend: since their emphatic 3–0 win over Barcelona in late November, they have now gone four games without a victory across all competitions.
Maresca Defends Rotation
Maresca, who has made five or more changes in each of Chelsea’s last three matches, defended his rotation policy post-match.
“I think tonight the first XI had eight or nine players who played against Tottenham, Barcelona and Arsenal,” he said. “The ones who played tonight are the ones playing almost all the games.”
Chelsea return to action in the Champions League at home to Pafos on 21 January, where the pressure to halt this winless run will be immense.
