De Ketelaere’s Late Strike Seals a Damaging Defeat as Winless Run Reaches Four Games
A second-half fightback from Atalanta has left Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League future in serious doubt, extending the London club’s frustrating winless run to four matches. The 2-1 defeat in Italy means Chelsea now face a steep climb to secure a guaranteed spot in the Round of 16.
After surviving early pressure, Chelsea struck against the run of play. Reece James, seizing on a corner, raced down the wing and drove a perfect low cross into the box, where João Pedro arrived to steer a clever header into the far corner.
The Blues held that lead until halftime but lost their grip after the break. Atalanta’s equalizer came with authority, as Gianluca Scamacca powered a header past Robert Sanchez. The match then turned on a bizarre double injury, forcing both Scamacca and Chelsea’s just-introduced Wesley Fofana off after an accidental collision.
With time running out, Charles De Ketelaere delivered the decisive blow. Taking a quick free-kick, the Belgian drove unchallenged from 25 yards out before surprising Sanchez with a fierce, low finish into the corner.
The victory solidifies Atalanta’s top-eight position, while Chelsea are left staring at the prospect of a tricky knockout play-off. Club legend Joe Cole, speaking on TNT Sports, pinpointed a lack of experience as a key issue.
“It’s really disappointing,” Cole said. “To follow up statement performances with three below-par showings… there needs to be a bit more experience in this dressing room.”
With games against Pafos and Napoli remaining, Chelsea’s path to direct qualification is now out of their hands, compounding the misery for manager Enzo Maresca and his young squad.
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