Chelsea squandered a promising start and slipped to a 2–1 defeat against Atalanta on Matchday 6 of the Champions League group stage. The Blues went ahead early following a well-worked corner: João Pedro rose to meet a pinpoint delivery from Reece James, steering his header past the keeper.

But the second half exposed Chelsea’s defensive fragility. A simple long ball split the back line, with Gianluca Scamacca darting between Wesley Fofana and Benoît Badiashile before heading home the equaliser.

Instead of responding with composure, Chelsea dropped deeper and paid the price again. A quick-thinking free-kick from Marten de Roon caught the defence napping, allowing Charles De Ketelaere to strike low and clean — a shot Robert Sánchez could only watch slide past him.

In stoppage time, goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi made a crucial save to preserve Atalanta’s victory, leaving Chelsea with regrets and an uphill battle in Europe.

2025-26 UEFA Champions League

Atalanta - Chelsea 2:1 (0:1)
Goals: João Pedro, 26 (0:1); Scamacca, 55 (1:1); De Ketelaere, 83 (2:1)

Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Kossounou; Bellanova (Zappacosta, 17); Djimsiti; Kolasinac (Ahanor, 71); Éderson J. (Musah Y., 87); de Roon; De Ketelaere; Bernasconi; Scamacca (Krstovic, 72); Lookman (Pasalic Mario, 87)
Substitution: Zappacosta (from 17); Ahanor (from 71); Krstovic (from 72); Musah Y. (from 87); Pasalic Mario (from 87)
Bench: Sportiello; Hien; Scalvini; Samardzic L.; Brescianini; Zalewski; Maldini D.

Chelsea: Sanchez Ro.; Badiashile B.; Chalobah (Fofana W., 46; Adarabioyo, 76); James R.; Acheampong J. K.; Cucurella; Fernandez E. (Gusto, 67); Caicedo M.; Bynoe-Gittens; Pedro Neto (Garnacho, 67); João Pedro
Substitution: Fofana W. (from 46 till 76); Gusto (from 67); Garnacho (from 67); Adarabioyo (from 76)
Bench: Jörgensen F.; Merrick; Hato; Andrey Santos; George; Buonanotte; Estêvão; Guiu Marc
Yellow Cards: Chalobah 29