Charles De Ketelaere inspires Atalanta’s 2-1 comeback win over Chelsea, extending the Blues’ winless run to four matches in all competitions
BERGAMO: Charles De Ketelaere inspired Atalanta’s stirring fightback to beat Chelsea 2-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The result extends Chelsea’s winless run to four matches in all competitions.
Joao Pedro opened the scoring with his first-ever Champions League goal in the first half.
Atalanta equalised after the interval through Gianluca Scamacca, assisted by De Ketelaere.
The Belgian forward then capped his influential display with a late, deflected winner in the 83rd minute.
Chelsea found it impossible to subdue De Ketelaere, who now has six goals and seven assists in his last 12 Champions League appearances.
Since a 3-0 win over Barcelona on November 25, Chelsea have failed to win in four consecutive games.
Enzo Maresca’s side, 11th in the league phase, now have 10 points from six games.
Their bid for a top-eight finish and automatic last-16 qualification is on a knife-edge.
Chelsea’s final two group matches are at home to Pafos and away to Napoli in January.
Third-placed Atalanta have now beaten Club Brugge, Marseille, Eintracht Frankfurt and Chelsea this season.
Maresca made five changes from Saturday’s 0-0 Premier League draw at Bournemouth.
Cole Palmer was rested after recently returning from a two-month injury absence.
Teenage star Estevao, who has three Champions League goals this term, was also omitted.
Atalanta nearly took an early lead when Ademola Lookman’s cross deflected off goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea struggled for rhythm, with Enzo Fernandez blazing a chance over the bar.
Lookman remained a threat, forcing a last-ditch block from Josh Acheampong.
Chelsea capitalised on that escape to take the lead in the 25th minute.
Joao Pedro slotted in Reece James’ cross, with the goal initially disallowed for offside before VAR overturned the decision.
It was only Joao Pedro’s third goal in his last 16 games for Chelsea.
James missed a chance to double the lead early in the second half, smashing just wide.
Atalanta drew level 10 minutes after the restart through Scamacca’s header from De Ketelaere’s cross.
Scamacca almost scored again moments later, but Sanchez saved his glancing header.
Maresca introduced Alejandro Garnacho, who forced a save from Marco Carnesecchi.
Chelsea’s defence cracked late on as De Ketelaere drove forward to score the decisive winner. – AFP
