Atalanta fight from behind take late 2-1 win over Chelsea for Champions League Tuesday night, as Charles De Ketelaere lead the full comeback.
Atalanta start the match well and fit score early, but Chelsea begin grow inside the game and later become the stronger team as first half dey go. Na Chelsea still enter break with lead as Joao Pedro knack sliding finish for 25th minute.
Chelsea return second half with the same energy, but Atalanta equalise against the run of play 10 minutes after restart as Gianluca Scamacca nod header. After the equaliser, the home side begin control the match.
But momentum later shift again as game near end, and na Atalanta come complete the comeback as De Ketelaere powerful strike beat Robert Sanchez give hosts the 2-1 win.
TPB VERDICT
Both teams struggle build steady momentum tonight as pressure dey shift every few minutes. Sometimes Chelsea hold Atalanta inside their half, next minute na Atalanta dey press and win ball high.
Both sides fail control tempo because both dey press high and neither get strong defensive base to build from. Anytime one team dominate, dem pin the other team deep, recycle attacks, then momentum go switch again after counter attack.
Defensive wahala full ground from both sides. Chelsea and Atalanta create many chances but waste plenty. Atalanta just show small extra sharpness for final third, and na why dem collect the 2-1 win.
Chelsea go vex because dem get long spells on top for the game, but no cutting edge at all, and the absence of Cole Palmer and Estevao show clearly.
ATALANTA BC VS. CHELSEA HIGHLIGHTS
Joao Pedro goal vs. Atalanta BC (25th min, Atalanta BC 0-1 Chelsea)
Pedro squeeze am put Chelsea ahead! Short corner reach Enzo Fernandez outside box, he lay am to Reece James wey run towards byline. James send low left-foot cross go front post, Pedro slide touch am enter net past Carnesecchi.
Gianluca Scamacca goal vs. Chelsea (55th min, Atalanta BC 1-1 Chelsea)
Scamacca nod equaliser for Atalanta! De Ketelaere dey right side, twist, turn, reach byline. He clip cross go back post find Scamacca free, the striker nod am home from close range.
Charles De Ketelaere goal vs. Chelsea (83rd min, Atalanta BC 2-1 Chelsea)
De Ketelaere turn everything around — Atalanta take the lead! He collect ball inside Chelsea half, drive enter the box with space. He blast right-foot strike wey strong pass Sanchez hand enter net.
MAN OF THE MATCH – CHARLES DE KETELAERE
De Ketelaere na the engine wey push Atalanta comeback. He assist the first goal, score the winner, create three chances (nobody create pass am), and na him dem foul pass (five times).
Him two-foot ability confuse Chelsea defenders — dem no sabi whether he go cut left or shift right. That small hesitation na wetin give am time to deliver both key actions tonight.
ATALANTA BC VS. CHELSEA MATCH STATS
Possession: Atalanta BC 49% – 51% Chelsea
Shots: Atalanta BC 13 – 10 Chelsea
Shots on target: Atalanta BC 4 – 5 Chelsea
Corners: Atalanta BC 2 – 5 Chelsea
Fouls: Atalanta BC 6 – 14 Chelsea
WHAT NEXT?
Atalanta go now focus on their packed winter Serie A schedule — seven league games dey before their next Champions League match for mid-January, starting with Cagliari this Saturday.
Chelsea get even heavier run — nine matches before Champions League return, and everything begin this Saturday against Everton for Premier League.
