Chelsea opened the match with confidence and control, translating their early momentum into a deserved lead midway through the first half. A rehearsed corner routine allowed Reece James to drive a low ball into the box, where João Pedro reacted sharply and guided it into the net after a brief VAR check confirmed the finish. Up to that point, Chelsea looked organised, composed and effective in transition, showing the maturity expected at this stage of the competition.
After the interval the pattern shifted. Atalanta gradually increased their tempo, stretched the game in wide areas and disrupted Chelsea’s structure. The equaliser arrived when Gianluca Scamacca drifted into space at the far post and steered a well-placed header beyond the goalkeeper. The hosts continued to build pressure, and their persistence paid off late in the match when Charles De Ketelaere drove a low effort that took a slight deflection and rolled into the bottom corner.
The final stages highlighted Chelsea’s difficulty in regaining stability once momentum swung away from them. A defensive reshuffle caused by an injury substitution left gaps that Atalanta exploited, while Chelsea struggled to re-establish control or create clear chances of their own. Despite a promising start, the visitors could not convert their early dominance into a sustained performance over ninety minutes.
The result leaves Chelsea with work to do in the remaining group fixtures. Their away form in Europe has yet to deliver a win this season, and the standings now suggest a more competitive route towards qualification. To progress comfortably, the team must pair their attacking spells with greater resilience, composure under pressure and consistency across both halves of matches.
