Chelsea’s Champions League top-eight aspirations suffered a setback with a 2-1 defeat to Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, as Charles De Ketelaere’s deflected 83rd-minute winner condemned Enzo Maresca’s side to their first away loss in Europe this season.
Joao Pedro broke the deadlock in the 25th minute, converting Reece James’ cross after VAR overturned an offside flag. Atalanta, unbeaten at home bar once, leveled through Gianluca Scamacca’s 55th-minute header from De Ketelaere’s delivery, shortly after James spurned a chance to double the lead.
The hosts pressed relentlessly, and De Ketelaere sealed victory when his shot looped off Marc Cucurella past Robert Sanchez. Late efforts from Alejandro Garnacho, James, and Pedro proved fruitless.
Chelsea, winless in four across competitions and yet to triumph away in Europe (two losses, one draw), slip to 11th—two points off automatic round-of-16 spots. Atalanta rise to third.
Maresca lamented: “We lost control after conceding two avoidable goals… We struggle playing every two days.” On top-eight hopes: “With two wins, probably 16 points—you can be there. We need to win both remaining games.”
Team changes: Five from the Bournemouth draw, including Moises Caicedo’s return, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Josh Acheampong, and Benoit Badiashile starting; Cole Palmer rested, Liam Delap injured.
Chelsea’s final league phase fixtures: Pafos (home, January 21), Napoli (away, January 28).
