Chelsea’s turbulent run of form deepened on Tuesday night as they fell 2-1 to a spirited Atalanta BC side in Bergamo, a result that dents their hopes of securing automatic qualification for the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds.
The Blues started brightly and took a deserved lead in the 25th minute through João Pedro, who finished coolly after connecting with a precise Reece James cross. Chelsea controlled much of the first half and went into the break with confidence.
But Atalanta emerged transformed after halftime.
Former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca restored parity in the 55th minute, rising highest to power home a header from a superb Charles De Ketelaere delivery.
The Belgian playmaker then turned match-winner in the 83rd minute. Picking up the ball with intent, De Ketelaere drove forward and unleashed a sharp, low strike that beat Robert Sánchez, completing the hosts’ comeback and sending the Gewiss Stadium into raptures.
The defeat extends Chelsea’s winless streak to four matches in all competitions and — more worryingly for their European ambitions — drops them out of the Champions League’s top-eight positions. With difficult fixtures still ahead, Enzo Maresca’s men now face a tense fight to avoid the Knockout Phase Play-offs, piling further pressure on the under-fire manager.
