Lookman’s Atalanta beat Chelsea to dent Blues’ Champions League knock-out stage qualification
Chelsea took a major hit in their Champions League campaign after Atalanta overturned a first-half deficit to claim a deserved victory in Bergamo.
Both sides entered the fixture level on 10 points, but the result leaves the Blues outside the automatic qualification zone with two league-phase matches left.
Chelsea start fast but lose control
The visitors drew first blood when Joao Pedro converted Reece James’ pinpoint cross, capping a composed early sequence.
For much of the opening period, the margins were slim, even if Ademola Lookman’s direct running continually stressed Chelsea’s defense.
Lookman made life difficult for Chelsea defenders in the encounter – Getty image
James later fired wide after the break, but the momentum had already begun shifting.
Atalanta take charge
Atalanta intensified their press and were rewarded when Gianluca Scamacca met a well-weighted delivery to level the score.
Alejandro Garnacho forced a save with a powerful effort, but the decisive blow came late: Charles De Ketelaere was afforded too much space on the edge of the box and punished the lapse with a driven finish.
Blues drop out of qualification zone
The loss sends Chelsea tumbling to 11th, outside the top eight required for automatic progression, while Atalanta surge to third, opening a three-point buffer.
The pressure metrics for Chelsea are now non-negotiable heading into the final two fixtures.
