Chelsea have suffered an impressive turnaround.
Chelsea suffered a Champions League setback as Atalanta came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory in Tuesday’s clash in Bergamo.
The Blues looked on course to notch a win but secure their place in the knockout stage when João Pedro ended a four-goal streak in the 25th minute.
But Chelsea’s lack of cutting edge was evident and Atalanta took advantage.
Gianluca Scamacca restored parity with a close-range header early in the second half, before Charles De Ketelaere struck the winner seven minutes from time to hand Chelsea their second defeat of the league stage.
Pedro ends Chelsea drought
Atalanta had made a big start from the start, with Scamacca and Marten de Roon going close for the hosts in the 19th minute.
But six minutes later Pedro regained his scoring touch when he latched onto Reece James’ low ball at the near post to head home.
The goal was initially ruled out for offside against James in the build-up, but a VAR check overturned the linesman’s decision.
Yet Chelsea failed to capitalize on their opening game, and their inability to do so would prove costly.
Chelsea debauchery punished
James fired in from close range as Chelsea started the second half brightly, but they were pegged back in the 55th minute as Scamacca headed over a cross from De Ketelaere on the right wing.
Scamacca continued to pose Atalanta’s main goal threat thereafter as the hosts gained momentum in the game, but it was the man who created the equalizer who completed the turnaround, albeit with the help of Robert Sanchez.
De Ketelaere had considerable space in midfield, with Chelsea all too willing to allow him to rush towards the box, where he fired a low effort that somehow slipped under Sanchez’s hand and into the bottom corner.
The visitors pushed for a late leveler but Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi was never really troubled as Chelsea suffered a defeat that damaged their ambitions of finishing in the top eight.
