Chelsea have suffered a setback in the Champions League after losing to Atalanta on Tuesday night. The Blues arrived in Bergamo without a win in three games. In fact, their last win was the statement victory over Barcelona in this very competition a fortnight ago.
Since that night at Stamford Bridge, Enzo Maresca’s side had drawn with Arsenal and Bournemouth as well as losing to Leeds away from home to see their Premier League title credentials questioned. Chelsea took the lead against the run of play as Joao Pedro slid in to get on the end of a cross from Reece James. The goal initially was ruled out for offside, but was allowed to stand after a lenghty VAR check.
Chelsea had chances to extend their lead, particularly at the start of the second half, but were pegged back ten minutes after the restart when former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca headed home from close range. Charles De Ketelaere scored what turned out to be the winning goal seven minutes from time to consign the Blues to a fourth game without a win. Follow Atalanta vs Chelsea back below with Standard Sport's dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Dom Smith!
Atalanta vs Chelsea latest news
- GOAL! De Ketelaere puts Atalanta ahead
- GOAL! Scamacca heads home equaliser for Atalanta
- GOAL! Joao Pedro's effort stands after VAR check
Atalanta 2-1 Chelsea
21:54 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+4 min: Joao Pedro with the chance to equalise for Chelsea but he fires an effort straight at Carnesecchi.
Final whistle is blown soon after and Chelsea are beaten.
Atalanta 2-1 Chelsea
21:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90 min: CLOSE!
Joao Pedro lays the ball off for James who looks to place an effort into the bottom corner but Carnesecchi sees it go wide.
Chelsea less than four minutes away from defeat.
Atalanta 2-1 Chelsea
21:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne89 min: Carnesecchi gets down quickly to push away Garnacho’s effort.
Atalanta 2-1 Chelsea
21:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne87 min: Atalanta looking to see this out as Musah and Pasalic replace Lookman and Ederson.
Standard Sport's Dom Smith
21:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAn absolute sucker-punch for Chelsea, who surely won't have been expecting this when Joao Pedro put them ahead midway through the first half.
That feels an awfully long time ago now. De Ketelaere has been Atalanta's best player on the night and, via a deflection off Cucurella, has given the Italians the lead.
GOAL! Atalanta 2-1 Chelsea | Charles De Ketelaere '83
21:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne83 min: ATALANTA LEAD!
Charles De Ketelaere is afforded far too much space, he lets fly and his effort takes a nick off Marc Cucurella and finds the back of the net.
Atalanta 1-1 Chelsea
21:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne82 min: Into the closing stages of this Champions League encounter, still plenty of time left for either side to find a winner.
Standard Sport's Dom Smith
21:37 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneA real blow for Fofana that. How unlucky can you get?!
Atalanta 1-1 Chelsea
21:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne76 min: As expected, Fofana is replaced by Tosin.
Standard Sport's Dom Smith
21:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe match has entered a bit of a lull and is in need of one team establishing some rhythm. Chelsea will feel their second-half performance hasn't yet been as good as their first-half showing. The change to the scoreline in that time says as much.
Atalanta 1-1 Chelsea
21:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne74 min: Garnacho shoots straight at the Atalanta goalkeeper after cutting inside and making space for a strike.
Fofana is struggling here, he took a stud to the eye and it’s impacting his vision.
Atalanta 1-1 Chelsea
21:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne72 min: Atalanta change sees Kolasinac make way for Ahanor.
Krstovic has also replaced goalscorer Scamacca.
Atalanta 1-1 Chelsea
21:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne70 min: What an absolute waste that is from Zappacosta. Released down the right, two team-mates in the middle and he overhits the cross.
Atalanta 1-1 Chelsea
21:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne66 min: Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez make way for Alejandro Garnacho and Malo Gusto.
Surprised that Neto has come off, he’s had the beating of his marker all night.
Atalanta 1-1 Chelsea
21:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne62 min: Scamacca’s free-kick hits the Chelsea wall and goes out for a corner from which Sanchez is called into action to make a fine save from a header.
It’s all Atalanta as Badiashile makes an important defensive header.
Atalanta 1-1 Chelsea
21:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne59 min: Superb wing play from Neto and he nearly claims an assist for Joao Pedro but Kossounou makes a fine clearance.
Standard Sport's Dom Smith
21:17 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWell in the last four minutes or so, it did start to feel as though that had been coming. Scamacca is going to gobble up any cross as sumptuous as that one from De Ketelaere. The former West Ham striker levels the tie up against Chelsea.
GOAL! Atalanta 1-1 Chelsea | Gianluca Scamacca ‘55
21:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne55 min: ATALANTA EQUALISE!
Gianluca Scamacca with a towering header to put the hosts back on level terms.
Standard Sport's Dom Smith
21:13 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLet-off for Chelsea. Lookman was off but had drifted away unnoticed.
Standard Sport's Dom Smith
21:12 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHe won't have expected to get a second bite at the cherry there, but James comes so close with his second strike. Hits the ball so unbelievably sweetly, doesn't he. Could have been two.
Atalanta 0-1 Chelsea
21:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne52 min: Now Atalanta have the ball in the net but Lookman’s goal is disallowed for offside.
Atalanta 0-1 Chelsea
21:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne50 min: Good opening for Chelsea as Gittens spots Fernandez makking a run through the middle but the midfielder can neither get a shot away or feed Neto.
Blues come forward again and James drags a shot wide after having two bites at the cherry.
Atalanta 0-1 Chelsea
21:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne46 min: More on the Chelsea half-time change, Wesley Fofana has replaced Trevoh Chalobah.
Not sure if that is injury related, pre-planned or because Chalobah was shown a yellow card in the first half.
We should get an answer from Enzo Maresca after the game.
KICK-OFF!
21:04 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBack underway at Stadio di Bergamo!
Enzo Maresca has made a change.
Atalanta vs Chelsea live
20:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneJoao Pedro will get the plaudits for his goal but Josh Acheampong’s block should not be ignored.
A fine piece of defending to save a certain goal.
What a block Josh Acheampong ⛔️
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 9, 2025
An outstanding piece of defending from the 19-year-old to deny Ademola Lookman...@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Aoq8ZWns78
Atalanta vs Chelsea live
20:53 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is the goal that separates Atalanta and Chelsea at half-time in tonight’s Champions League showdown.
João Pedro has his first Champions League goal 😮💨
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 9, 2025
A lengthy VAR check but the forward slides in to meet Reece James' cross!@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/jLdnJykTvp
HALF-TIME
20:49 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAtalanta 0-1 Chelsea
Joao Pedro’s first Champions League goal is the difference at the break in Bergamo.
Atalanta 0-1 Chelsea
20:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45+2 min: Fernandez is almost in as he latches on to Joao Pedro’s flick-on. Argentine midfielder can’t bring the ball under control and is eventually crowded out.
Atalanta 0-1 Chelsea
20:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45+1 min: Three minutes of additiontal time signalled as Cucurella almost picks out Neto in the box for a tap-in but Kolasinac shows good awareness to concede a corner which Atalanta deal with.
Standard Sport's Dom Smith
20:44 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere's an impressive stat. This is the 21st consecutive game in European competition for Chelsea in which they have managed to find the net. How Enzo Maresca would love them to grab a second ahead of the interval tonight.
Atalanta 0-1 Chelsea
20:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne43 min: Chelsea with a free-kick as we approach half-time, initial delivery is well dealt with by Atalanta who then looked to build down the left but Lookman ignores the run of Bernasconi on the outside.
Atalanta 0-1 Chelsea
20:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne40 min: Hosts started well but they’ve lost a little bit of steam since falling behind to that Joao Pedro goal.
Atalanta 0-1 Chelsea
20:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne38 min: What a way to open your account in the Champions League!
Atalanta 0-1 Chelsea
20:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne34 min: The flag goes up, but another piece of brilliant defending by Acheampong as he gets back to put in a well-timed tackle on Lookman who was clean through.
Atalanta 0-1 Chelsea
20:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne31 min: You can argue came against the run of play as Atalanta had made the stronger start but the Italians have been taught a harsh lesson in taking chances when on top.
Atalanta 0-1 Chelsea
20:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne29 min: Chalobah gets pinned by Scamacca, commits the foul and ends up going into the book.
Standard Sport's Dom Smith
20:29 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe goal stands, as the on-field decision is overturned after a check by the Spanish VAR.
Superb assist by James and a goal Joao Pedro really needed.
He has been short of confidence of late but is there to poke home his very first Champions League goal.
GOAL! Atalanta 0-1 Chelsea | Joao Pedro ‘26
20:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne26 min: CHELSEA LEAD!
VAR check complete and the goal stands, Joao Pedro with the finish from Reece James’ cross.
Atalanta 0-0 Chelsea
20:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne25 min: Chelsea denied the opening goal of the game by the offside flag. Reece James had made his move too soon by the looks of things.
VAR to check this...
Standard Sport's Dom Smith
20:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSensational defending by Chelsea and by Acheampong, with a fantastic block to deny a certain goal.
Atalanta 0-0 Chelsea
20:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne19 min: Acheampong with a great block to deny Atalanta the opening goal after Lookman had reacted quickest to a lose ball in the box.
De Roon then skies the rebound over the bar.
Atalanta 0-0 Chelsea
20:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne17 min: Bellanova has to go off and is replaced by former Chelsea player Davide Zappacosta.
Atalanta 0-0 Chelsea
20:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne16 min: Major concern for Atalanta as Bellanova is down and looks to be in considerable pain. Looks like an early change is on the way for the hosts.
Atalanta 0-0 Chelsea
20:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne14 min: Even better wing play on the opposite flank as Pedro Neto shows Bernasconi a clean pair of heels only for his cross to be turned behind for a corner by Kolasinac.
Chelsea attempt a quick coner but the hosts are alert to the play.
Atalanta 0-0 Chelsea
20:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne13 min: Positive from Gittens as he drives at his marker, gets in the box and goes down appealing for a penalty which is immediately waved away by the officials.
Standard Sport's Dom Smith
20:11 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea with a slow start to this game, and Atalanta look the slightly more intense of the two teams so far. No real opportunities for Gittens or Neto to carry the ball yet. Chelsea need to string some passes together and settle.
Atalanta 0-0 Chelsea
20:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne6 min: Chelsea fortunate to not be behind early on as they somehow scramble the ball away from their goal after De Ketelaere seemed certain for a tap-in.
Great work from Lookman down the left.
Atalanta 0-0 Chelsea
20:04 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne4 min: Atalanta look to threaten down the left but the move breaks down after the ball is fed to Scamacca in the middle. Lookman not hugging the touchline tonight, could be an issue for Acheampong.
Atalanta 0-0 Chelsea
20:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne2 min: Even open exchanges with both sides seemingly feeling each other out.
KICK-OFF!
20:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are underway in this Champions League clash!
Can Chelsea record a first win in four, or will the hosts continue their fine form in Europe?
HERE WE GO!
19:56 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe teams are out at Stadio di Bergamo.
Tonight's Champions League showdown gets underway shortly!
Standard Sport's Dom Smith
19:52 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWell after taking two points from a possible nine in recent league games against Arsenal, Leeds and Bournemouth, you sense Chelsea are predominantly looking for a response tonight in Bergamo, perhaps more important even than the Champions League points on offer.
Atalanta vs Chelsea live
19:51 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea fans are making themselves right at home in Bergamo!
Kick-off approaching in Bergamo
19:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne15 minutes to go until kick-off at Stadio di Bergamo.
Atalanta vs Chelsea live
19:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEstevao matched a record set by Kylian Mbappe by scoring against Barcelona last time out.
Tonight, he has to settle for a place on the bench.
🫡📸#CFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/niFfbTqSfd
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 9, 2025
Results so far
19:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFor Chelsea and Atalanta, it's three wins, a draw and one defeat in the League Phase so far.
It can be said that matchday five a fortnight ago brought out the best in both sides as they defeated Barcelona and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively by the same 3-0 scoreline.
MD1: Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea, PSG 4-0 Atalanta
MD2: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, Atalanta 2-1 Club Brugge
MD3: Chelsea 5-1 Ajax, Atalanta 0-0 Slavia Prague
MD4: Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea, Marseille 0-1 Atalanta
MD5: Chelsea 3-0 Barcelona, Eintracht Frankfurt 0-3 Atalanta
Team news reminder
19:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is how both teams will line-up today.
Atalanta XI: Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Bernasconi; De Ketelaere, Scamacca, Lookman.
Substitutes: Sportiello, Hien, Musah, Pasalic, Samardzic, Scalvini, Brescianini, Zalewski, Ahanor, Maldini, Zappacosta, Krstovic.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Acheampong, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Neto, Enzo, Gittens; Joao Pedro.
Substitutes: Jorgensen, Merrick, Gusto, Fofana, Tosin, Hato, Andrey Santos, Estevao, Buonanotte, Garnacho, George, Guiu.
Chelsea omen?
19:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIn the UEFA Youth League clash between Atalanta and Chelsea's respective U19's sides this morning, the visitors ran out 3-1 winners.
Jesse Derry netted a brace with Reggie Walsh also on target.
A sign of things to come?
Atalanta changes
19:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneA couple of changes for Atalanta from the side that were beaten by Verona at the weekend.
Former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca leads the line, flanked by Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere.
Elsewhere, Davide Zappacosta misses out on a start against his former club but ex-Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac replaces Isak Hien in the back three.
Chelsea changes
19:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFive changes to the Chelsea side that started the goalless draw against Bournemouth at the weekend.
Moises Caicedo returns from suspension while Josh Acheampong, Benoit Badiashile, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro all return.
Wesley Fofana is among the substitutes tonight.
Standard Sport's Dom Smith
19:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMoises Caicedo's return to the starting line-up was always expected as his three-game suspension does not extend to the Champions League.
Rare starts for Benoit Badiashile and particularly for Josh Acheampong at the back.
It is surprising to see Alejandro Garnacho on the bench considering he is the player Chelsea put up in their pre-match press conference yesterday!
Usually teams are expected to present a player who is set to start the game.
Atalanta team in full
19:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAtalanta XI: Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Bernasconi; De Ketelaere, Scamacca, Lookman.
Substitutes: Sportiello, Hien, Musah, Pasalic, Samardzic, Scalvini, Brescianini, Zalewski, Ahanor, Maldini, Zappacosta, Krstovic.
Chelsea team in full
19:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea XI: Sanchez; Acheampong, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Neto, Enzo, Gittens; Joao Pedro.
Substitutes: Jorgensen, Merrick, Gusto, Fofana, Tosin, Hato, Andrey Santos, Estevao, Buonanotte, Garnacho, George, Guiu.
CONFIRMED ATALANTA TEAM NEWS
18:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAnd lining up for the hosts...
Il nostro 11 titolare per #AtalantaChelsea 📝
— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) December 9, 2025
Our starting XI to face the Blues 📝#UCL #GoAtalantaGo ⚫🔵 pic.twitter.com/jMnsniUGy4
CONFIRMED CHELSEA TEAM NEWS
18:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is the Chelsea team Enzo Maresca has selected to face Atalanta...
Tonight's line-up. 🎁#CFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/4vlFKNXZRI
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 9, 2025
Atalanta vs Chelsea live: Team news imminent
18:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe teams will be announced within the next five minutes.
Stay tuned...
Cole Palmer latest
18:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEnzo Maresca has said Cole Palmer is being protected for Chelsea’s Champions League clash against Atalanta.
Palmer, who has struggled with a recurring groin injury this season, was absent from training ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Bergamo.
Standard Sport understands this was part of a tailored fitness plan and not due to injury, but Maresca revealed in his pre-match press conference that Palmer had not travelled with the rest of the squad as the club looks to manage his minutes.
Suspension risks
18:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMarten de Roon and Yunus Musah will miss Atalanta’s next Champions League game if booked tonight.
Andrey Santos is the only Chelsea player walking the same tightrope having picked up two yellow cards in the league phase.
Enzo Maresca seeks Chelsea attacking upgrade
18:27 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea need to turn the page and move on after one of their worst weeks of the season, writes Dom Smith.
The 3-0 rout of Barcelona a fortnight ago was their most memorable win since downing European champion Paris Saint-Germain at the Club World Cup, and it paved the way for a busy few days of chatter about a potential title challenge.
That noise only got louder after a draw against Arsenal that was so impressive that Enzo Maresca mistakenly slipped up and accidentally called it a “win” last week.
Since then, talk of rivalling the Gunners for the title has stopped dead.
A sobering defeat to Leeds and Saturday’s dour goalless draw at Bournemouth leave Chelsea fifth in the Premier League, without momentum, and succumbing, it seems, to their annual December hoodoo, when performances and results have dropped off each and every year since 2019.
Atalanta squad revealed
18:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAtalanta head coach Raffaele Palladino has named a 24-man squad for tonight's Champions League showdown.
There are few names that will be familiar to Chelsea fans and followers of the Premier League.
Goalkeepers: Carnesecchi, Rossi, Sportiello.
Defenders: Ahanor, Bellanova, Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac, Kossounou, Scalvini, Zappacosta.
Midfielders: Bernasconi, Brescianini, De Ketelaere, De Roon, Ederson, Musah, Pasalic, Samardzic, Zalewski.
Forwards: Krstovic, Lookman, Maldini, Scamacca.
Predicted Chelsea XI
18:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEnzo Maresca can choose from Joao Pedro or Marc Guiu up front to replace the injured Liam Delap, while wingers Pedro Neto and Tyrique George have also played through the middle at times this season.
The Italian may decide to hand left-back Marc Cucurella a rest after a busy run of games. Summer signing Jorrel Hato would be the obvious choice to come in if Cucurella is rested.
Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Hato; Santos, Caicedo; Estevao, Buonanotte, Garnacho; Joao Pedro.
Atalanta vs Chelsea live
18:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea have arrived in Bergamo for tonight’s Champions League fixture.
Stadio di Bergamo! 📍🇮🇹#CFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/q4poRBJCEv
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 9, 2025
Tonight's settings
18:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChampions League football under the lights in Bergamo!
It's the New Balance Arena, but it's known as the Stadio di Bergamo in UEFA competitions.
Atalanta vs Chelsea latest match odds
18:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAtalanta to win: 11/5
Chelsea to win: 1/1
Draw: 2/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Head to head (h2h) history and results
17:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTonight's meeting will mark the first time Chelsea have played Atalanta.
Score prediction
17:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThis is a tricky one to call with Atalanta being at home and Chelsea out of form.
The Serie A outfit are a tough nut to crack, and can hurt the Blues.
That said, the west Londoners should get the job done to strengthen their hold on an automatic qualification spot for the knockout stages.
Draw, 2-2.
Atalanta team news
17:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGianluca Scamacca could replace Nikola Krstovic up front for Atalanta while Davide Zappcosta is hoping to feature against his former club.
Ademola Lookman is an obvious dangerman for the hosts, he scored and claimed an assist in the 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt a fornight ago.
Kamaldeen Sulemana (muscle) and Mitchel Bakker (ACL) remain sidelined.
Chelsea team news: Caicedo cleared to play
17:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneCole Palmer missed training on Monday and has not made the trip to Italy as his return is carefully managed following groin and toe injuries. He is expected to play against Everton at the weekend.
Liam Delap was forced off against Bournemouth with a shoulder injury and is facing another spell out, while Romeo Lavia is also still sidelined along with Dario Essugo and Levi Colwill. Reece James and Wesley Fofana are available.
Moises Caicedo is free to play as his suspension only relates to domestic action.
How to watch
17:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTV channel: In the UK, the game will be broadcast live on TNT Sports. Coverage begins at 7pm GMT on TNT Sports 2 ahead of kick-off at 8pm.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Live coverage: You can follow all the action right here via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Chelsea correspondent Dom Smith!
Atalanta vs Chelsea live
17:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Atalanta vs Chelsea!
Enzo Maresca's side are seeking a first win in four across all competitions but are yet to claim victory away from home in the Champions League.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8pm GMT from the Stadio di Bergamo. Stick with us!
