Chelsea lost 1-2 to Atalanta, the match was decided in the 83rd minute.
Chelsea took the lead thanks to Joao Pedro in the 25th minute after VAR confirmed the goal, but Atalanta still came back to equalize: Scamacca headed in the equalizer in the 55th minute, and De Ketelaere sealed the 2-1 victory in the 83rd minute. Their worrying away run continues.
In the 83rd minute, a sharp counter-attack by Atalanta turned Chelsea's slender advantage into a defeat. Charles De Ketelaere sprinted through the middle and unleashed a decisive shot; the ball deflected slightly off Cucurella, leaving Robert Sanchez helpless. Atalanta won 2-1, and Chelsea continued their poor away form in the Champions League.
Key developments
Coach Enzo Maresca made several adjustments to the starting lineup: Moises Caicedo returned to midfield, and Joao Pedro played as the furthest forward. The first turning point came from a cleverly executed set piece.
In the 25th minute, Chelsea took a short corner kick. Reece James broke down the left wing and delivered a low cross perfectly for Joao Pedro, who rushed in to tap the ball into the net from close range, beating Carnesecchi. The assistant referee initially flagged James for offside, but VAR checked and confirmed the goal for The Blues. The first half ended with a 1-0 lead; Chelsea controlled the tempo well and had a slightly better expected goals tally.
The second half saw a shift in direction.
Coach Gasperini reignited Atalanta's attack. After a Lookman goal was disallowed for offside, the home side didn't lose their rhythm. In the 55th minute, De Ketelaere skillfully dribbled down the right, beat Cucurella, and delivered a precise cross for Gianluca Scamacca to head home, leveling the score at 1-1.
In the 83rd minute, Atalanta punished a gap in Chelsea's transitional defensive organization. Marten de Roon played the ball to De Ketelaere, who accelerated through the middle and fired a right-footed shot. Cucurella's light touch deflected the ball's trajectory, securing a 2-1 victory for the Serie A side.
In injury time, Chelsea pressed forward. Acheampong headed the ball back to Joao Pedro, who had a close-range shot, but Carnesecchi made a superb save. Shortly after, Reece James and Garnacho also had chances, but The Blues couldn't save them.
Tactical perspective
- Set-piece play: Chelsea effectively exploited short corner kicks and Reece James' mobility on the left wing to create the opening goal. This was a rare bright spot in an otherwise tight first half.
- Atalanta's attacking approach: After the break, Atalanta focused on exploiting Cucurella's flank. De Ketelaere's dribble and cross leading to the 1-1 equalizer showed how well they capitalized on one-on-one situations on the wing.
- Transition: The 83rd-minute goal exposed Chelsea's "rest defense" problems in turnovers. Just one pass from de Roon and a burst of speed from De Ketelaere were enough to tear apart The Blues' defensive structure.
- Goalkeeper's effectiveness: Carnesecchi's late save against Joao Pedro was the cornerstone that enabled Atalanta to complete their comeback.
The numbers speak for themselves.
| Minute | Player | Team | Situation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Joao Pedro | Chelsea | VAR confirms goal from short corner kick; cross by Reece James | 0-1 |
| 55 | Gianluca Scamacca | Atalanta | Heading in from De Ketelaere's cross, after beating Cucurella. | 1-1 |
| 83 | Charles De Ketelaere | Atalanta | A quick counter-attack, the shot deflected off Cucurella. | 2-1 |
Notable event
- VAR confirmed Chelsea's opening goal.
- Lookman had a goal disallowed for offside before Atalanta equalized.
- Carnesecchi made a crucial save in injury time against Joao Pedro.
- Reece James and Garnacho had late chances but failed to convert them.
Impact and questions
The 1-2 defeat extends Chelsea's disappointing away run in the Champions League. More importantly, it highlights the defensive issues of concentration at crucial moments. Based on their performances, manager Maresca needs to find solutions to improve their transitional defensive capabilities and how to protect their lead.
Final score:Atalanta 2-1 Chelsea
Goal scorer:Joao Pedro 25' – Gianluca Scamacca 55', Charles De Ketelaere 83'
