Atalanta 2-1 Chelsea: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Coral’s post-match review of Atalanta 2-1 Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday, 09 December 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Atalanta came out on top with a 2-1 win over Chelsea in a hard-fought match. Chelsea took the lead in the 25th minute when João Pedro found the net, assisted by Reece James, giving the visitors a boost after their mixed recent form that included a draw with Qarabağ and wins over Barcelona and Ajax. But Atalanta, riding high from unbeaten results like their 3-0 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt, didn’t let that faze them and kept pushing forward.

The hosts equalised in the 55th minute through Gianluca Scamacca, with an assist from Charles De Ketelaere, shifting the momentum as they built on their strong home form including a draw with Slavia Praha and a win over Club Brugge. Chelsea picked up a yellow card for Trevoh Chalobah in the 29th minute and made changes at half-time, but Atalanta sealed the victory in the 83rd minute with Charles De Ketelaere scoring, assisted by Marten de Roon. This result keeps Atalanta’s winning streak alive and highlights their comeback spirit.

The game was evenly matched in possession, with Chelsea edging it at 51% to Atalanta’s 49%, suggesting neither side truly dominated the ball but Chelsea looked to control the tempo slightly more. Atalanta shone in successful dribbles with 86 compared to Chelsea’s 57, showing they were more effective at beating defenders and creating openings on the attack, while Chelsea racked up more corners at 5 to 2, indicating they posed threats from set pieces. Discipline-wise, Chelsea picked up one yellow card, and assists went Atalanta’s way with 2 to Chelsea’s 1, underlining the hosts’ sharper finishing touches.

Substitutions played a role too, with Atalanta using all five slots – like Davide Zappacosta replacing Raoul Bellanova early at 17 minutes, and later double changes at 87 minutes where Mario Pasalić came on for Ademola Lookman and Yunus Musah for Éderson – helping them maintain energy. Chelsea used four, starting with Wesley Fofana replacing Trevoh Chalobah at 46 minutes, followed by Alejandro Garnacho for Pedro Neto at 66 minutes, Malo Gusto for Enzo Fernández at 67 minutes, and Tosin Adarabioyo for Wesley Fofana at 76 minutes, as they tried to shore up defence amid the pressure.

Chelsea struck first in the 25th minute as João Pedro scored with an assist from Reece James, but VAR checked it a minute later, adding some tension early on. Atalanta had to make an early change at 17 minutes when Davide Zappacosta replaced Raoul Bellanova, and Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah saw yellow at 29 minutes, which led to him being subbed off for Wesley Fofana at half-time. The hosts turned things around in the 55th minute with Gianluca Scamacca’s goal, assisted by Charles De Ketelaere, levelling the score and sparking their comeback.

Atalanta kept the pressure on with subs like Honest Ahanor for Sead Kolasinac at 71 minutes and Nikola Krstović for Gianluca Scamacca at 72 minutes, before Charles De Ketelaere netted the winner at 83 minutes, assisted by Marten de Roon. Chelsea responded with changes such as Alejandro Garnacho replacing Pedro Neto at 66 minutes and Malo Gusto for Enzo Fernández at 67 minutes, plus Tosin Adarabioyo for Wesley Fofana at 76 minutes, but it wasn’t enough. Late double subs for Atalanta at 87 minutes saw Mario Pasalić replace Ademola Lookman and Yunus Musah come on for Éderson, helping them see out the win.

Atalanta lined up in a 3-4-2-1 shape, which allowed them flexibility at the back and creativity up front, with players like Charles De Ketelaere and Gianluca Scamacca forming a dangerous partnership in attack that paid off with key goals. Marten de Roon provided solid support in midfield, assisting the winner, while early sub Davide Zappacosta slotted in for Raoul Bellanova to maintain the wing-back dynamism. Later changes like Honest Ahanor for Sead Kolasinac and Nikola Krstović for Gianluca Scamacca kept the energy high, with Ademola Lookman and Éderson making way for Mario Pasalić and Yunus Musah late on.

Chelsea set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on a solid defensive base with attacking flair from the likes of João Pedro, who scored their only goal assisted by Reece James. Enzo Fernández held midfield until being replaced by Malo Gusto, while Trevoh Chalobah’s early yellow card saw him subbed for Wesley Fofana at the break, who later made way for Tosin Adarabioyo. Pedro Neto started lively but was replaced by Alejandro Garnacho, adding width to their efforts to chase the game.

Coral’s Man of the Match goes to Charles De Ketelaere, who was instrumental for Atalanta with one goal and one assist, plus creating a big chance and delivering three key passes that kept Chelsea on the back foot. His involvement in both Atalanta goals – assisting Gianluca Scamacca’s equaliser and then scoring the winner himself – showed his quality and vision. Starting the game, he stood out as the creative spark that turned the match in the hosts’ favour.

Recent Champions League matches:

• Win: 2-1 vs Chelsea (H)
• Win: 3-0 vs Eintracht Frankfurt (A)
• Win: 1-0 vs Olympique Marseille (A)
• Draw: 0-0 vs Slavia Praha (H)
• Win: 2-1 vs Club Brugge (H)

Recent Champions League matches:

• Loss: 1-2 vs Atalanta (A)
• Win: 3-0 vs FC Barcelona (H)
• Draw: 2-2 vs Qarabağ (A)
• Win: 5-1 vs Ajax (H)
• Win: 1-0 vs Benfica (H)

Atalanta have just secured a 2-1 win over Chelsea, adding to their strong recent form with four wins and a draw in their last five outings, including away successes against Eintracht Frankfurt and Olympique Marseille. Sitting third on 13 points, this keeps them in the hunt for top spots, and they’ll look to build on that momentum in their next match against Cagliari on 2025-12-13 at 19:45. With Cagliari’s position and points still to be confirmed, it’s a chance for Atalanta to keep chasing European places and maintain their unbeaten run.

Chelsea have just suffered a 2-1 loss to Atalanta, which interrupts their recent form of three wins and a draw in the four games before this, featuring strong home showings against Barcelona and Ajax. Currently 11th on 10 points, they’ll be keen to bounce back and climb the table when they face Everton on 2025-12-13 at 15:00. Everton’s standing and points are yet to be confirmed, but this fixture offers Chelsea an opportunity to regain confidence and push for a higher position.

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