There were no answers to Chelsea’s search for consistency here. Instead they supplied more evidence that they lack the resilience for a Champions League tilt that may now have to be tackled the hard way. This damaging late defeat completed a grim week on the road and had implications for the longer-term picture. They are staring down the barrel of a February playoff that could stretch Enzo Maresca’s side, active almost year-round, to the very limit.
Atalanta twice punished weak defending and, crucially, preyed on their opponents’ inability to overcome setbacks. It is a problem Chelsea cannot quite shrug off and, at this level, such recidivism comes at a cost. When Charles De Ketelaere, the game’s outstanding player, blasted in a deflected winner after being invited to take aim they could hardly claim not to have been warned.
Written by Nick Ames at Stadio di Bergamo
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/09/atalanta-chelsea-champions-league-match-report under the title “Chelsea’s top-eight hopes hit by Atalanta after De Ketelaere seals comeback win”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
