Key Takeaways:
- Atalanta overturned a 1:0 deficit to defeat Chelsea 2:1 in Bergamo
- Charles De Ketelaere supplied an assist and scored the decisive goal in the 83rd minute
- Chelsea’s second loss in the tournament sees them drop to 11th place ahead of today’s fixtures
Match Analysis
In a thrilling encounter in Bergamo, Atalanta battled back from a goal down to secure a 2:1 victory over Chelsea, with Charles De Ketelaere instrumental in transforming the match. Although Raffaele Palladino’s men created the more dangerous opportunities in the opening period, it was Chelsea who led at the interval, thanks to Joao Pedro’s 25th-minute strike, assisted by Reece James.
Atalanta started brightly, carving out several promising moves. Early on, De Ketelaere looked to connect with Lookman inside the box, but the London defence denied the opportunity. Moments later, a quick interplay between the duo saw Lookman find space in the area and attempt to set up a teammate; after a deflection, De Ketelaere received the ball only two metres from the line but failed to convert.
🖤💙 𝐌𝐎𝐋𝐀 𝐌𝐈𝐀 🖤💙#AtalantaChelsea #UCL #GoAtalantaGo pic.twitter.com/U4xfikzFhH
— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) December 9, 2025
First Half: Missed Chances and Chelsea Strikes First
As Chelsea gradually settled and began to retain possession, they faced danger in the 19th minute when Zappacosta, having replaced the injured Bellanova, delivered a cross that found Lookman, whose effort was blocked by Acheampong. Scamacca and De Roon also tried their luck for the hosts but could not break the deadlock.
It was Chelsea who found the breakthrough on their first real chance. Following a corner, Reece James delivered a superb ball for Joao Pedro to turn in from close range. The effort was initially chalked off for offside, but a VAR review overturned the decision, putting Maresca’s side ahead.
De Ketelaere and Lookman continued to threaten, but Chelsea’s defence held firm and an offside halted another promising opportunity. In the closing moments before half-time, a risky pass back from Cucurella was cleared, preventing a defensive lapse from becoming costly.
Second Half: De Ketelaere at the Heart of Atalanta’s Comeback
After the interval, both sides played with greater openness as chances emerged at both ends. Chelsea nearly doubled their advantage, with Reece James twice going close, sending his eventual shot wide. Atalanta responded immediately, seeing Lookman’s finish ruled out for offside.
Carnesecchi was called upon to deny Gittens, but the hosts capitalised soon after. De Ketelaere surged down the right and supplied a pinpoint cross, allowing Scamacca to head home the equaliser. Buoyed by the goal, Atalanta pressed forward, although Chelsea threatened on the counter, with Neto’s attempt easily collected by the goalkeeper and Robert Sanchez alert to Scamacca at the other end.
As the tempo slowed with substitutions and increased stoppages, Garnacho tested Carnesecchi without reward. The decisive moment arrived in the 83rd minute. De Ketelaere advanced purposefully as Chelsea’s back line retreated, firing a shot that took a deflection off Cucurella before nestling into the net.
Late Drama and Implications for the Standings
Chelsea sought a late equaliser and created further opportunities. Garnacho saw his shot thwarted by Carnesecchi, and James missed the target, while Joao Pedro’s volley was denied by the Atalanta goalkeeper. With this hard-fought victory, Atalanta move into third place in the overall table. Chelsea, suffering their second defeat in the tournament, drop to 11th position ahead of the rest of this week’s matches.
| Atalanta | Chelsea |
|---|---|
| Goals: 2 | Goals: 1 |
| De Ketelaere (1 assist, 1 goal) | Joao Pedro (1 goal), Reece James (1 assist) |
| Current Standing: 3rd | Current Standing: 11th |
