Atalanta beat Chelsea 2–1 in the Champions League. The English side scored first through João Pedro, but didn’t have the strength or creativity to hold the lead, while the team from Bergamo delivered an organized, high-energy stretch after halftime led by De Ketelaere, who played a direct role in both goals of the comeback. The Belgian’s performance not only decided the match but also exposed how much Chelsea struggled to react when it mattered most.
The English lead that didn’t reflect the match
Chelsea opened the scoring at the 25-minute mark, but the play felt more like an isolated moment than any sign of control. Atalanta had already created the best chances, especially with Lookman, who forced Sánchez into an early save. The rebound that fell to De Ketelaere didn’t turn into a goal by inches, and the Italian side’s rhythm made it clear that the English goal wouldn’t change how the match was unfolding. The VAR confirmed João Pedro’s strike, but even that didn’t shake Atalanta’s approach, as they kept attacking with the same persistence.
Chelsea, meanwhile, settled far too quickly. Even with the advantage at halftime, the London side never showed signs of command and leaned on individual plays that rarely developed. Estêvão staying on the bench, even with only four substitutions made all match, reinforced the lack of alternative ideas to shift the team’s direction. It felt like the 1–0 stayed on the scoreboard more because Atalanta lacked precision than because the Blues defended well.
De Ketelaere took over the storyline
Right after the restart, James had a chance to extend the lead and didn’t convert. That ended up being Chelsea’s last real attacking spark. From that point on, Atalanta controlled the entire field. De Ketelaere stepped into the spotlight, first placing a perfect cross on Scamacca’s head for the equalizer. Moments later, Scamacca forced Sánchez into another tough save, showing how completely Chelsea had lost the battles inside their own box.
The turnaround felt inevitable, and it arrived in the 83rd minute. De Ketelaere received the ball, cut inside and finished calmly, sealing the result. Chelsea tried to react in the final minutes, with Garnacho and João Pedro testing Carnesecchi, but it was too late. There was no coordination, no pressure, no belief that the match could still shift.
The win moves Atalanta to 13 points and strengthens the idea that the team no longer relies on old labels to compete in Europe. Chelsea, now in 11th, leave Bergamo with the uncomfortable feeling that they’re not evolving when the match demands immediate answers. And that’s the most worrying part, because talent isn’t the issue. Direction is.