UEFA Champions League result as Chelsea fall to goals by Gianluca Scamacca and Charles De Ketelaere

CHELSEA SLUMP TO DEFEAT AGAINST ATALANTA

Chelsea extended their winless run to four games as they fell victim through an Atalanta comeback that puts them in real danger of missing out on a guaranteed spot in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.

After weathering an early storm from Atalanta, when Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere both had chances to open the scoring, Chelsea made their only clear-cut opportunity of the half count when Reece James received the ball from a corner, burst clear on the wing and fired a low cross into the penalty area that Joao Pedro glanced into the far corner.

The visitors kept Atalanta quiet for the remainder of the half but failed to assert that same control after the break and were punished for it. Following a disallowed goal for Lookman, there was no reprieve for The Blues minutes later when Gianluca Scamacca rose highest to meet a De Ketelaere cross with a bullet header through Robert Sanchez.

Enzo Maresca’s changes failed to make an impact though he wasn’t helped when Wesley Fofana, who’d only come on at half-time, had to be withdrawn with an eye injury after a freak accident with Scamacca who also had to be substituted.

‘It just opened up for him!’ – De Ketelaere strike completes Atalanta turnaround

Video credit: TNT Sports

And having enjoyed the upper hand for most of the second half, De Ketelaere made Chelsea pay for their shortcomings in the final 10 minutes. Atalanta took a free-kick quickly leaving the Belgian in acres of space but well away from Sanchez’s goal, yet De Ketelaere was allowed to drive 25 yards into the penalty area unchallenged.

With Chelsea expecting him to lay the ball off, De Ketelaere instead caught Sanchez by surprise with a fizzing shot into the bottom corner, sealing Atalanta’s second ever UEFA Champions League victory over English opposition and heaping more misery on Maresca and Chelsea.

The victory moves Atalanta up to third in the League Phase and they’re guaranteed to end the year inside the top eight, whereas Chelsea have an uphill battle to avoid the Knockout Phase Play-offs with games against Pafos and Napoli remaining.

“Really disappointing first and foremost, going 1-0 up and matched then first half,” Joe Cole said on TNT Sports. “They looked shaky second half and the frailties were there. Four games without a win and it must be frustrating.

“The performance against Arsenal was a real statement, and Barcelona as well. To follow it up with three performances that are below par for this young group of players. There needs to be a bit more experience in this dressing room.”