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Chelsea Lose 2-1 at Atalanta With Fofana Injured as Scrutiny Grows on Maresca’s Changes

The defeat drops Chelsea outside the Champions League’s top-eight places, leaving wins over Pafos and Napoli likely required to avoid a playoff.

Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Atalanta v Chelsea - Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy - December 9, 2025 Chelsea's Joao Pedro scores their first goal REUTERS/Matteo Ciambelli
Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Atalanta v Chelsea - Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy - December 9, 2025 Atalanta's Gianluca Scamacca scores their first goal REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo
Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Atalanta v Chelsea - Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy - December 9, 2025 Atalanta players celebrate after the match REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo
Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Atalanta v Chelsea - Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy - December 9, 2025 Chelsea's Joao Pedro applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Matteo Ciambelli

Overview

  • Chelsea led through Joao Pedro before second‑half goals from Gianluca Scamacca and Charles De Ketelaere sealed Atalanta’s comeback in Bergamo.
  • Enzo Maresca said his side conceded “easy goals” and “lost a little bit of control” after the equaliser, lamenting missed chances to extend the first‑half lead.
  • Maresca made five changes from the Bournemouth draw and explained withdrawing Trevoh Chalobah (yellow card, workload) and Enzo Fernandez (fatigue), while Wesley Fofana’s eye injury forced on Tosin Adarabioyo.
  • Chelsea sit on 10 points in 11th place in the league‑phase table and, by Maresca’s own assessment, likely need two wins against Pafos and Napoli to finish in the top eight and skip a two‑leg playoff.
  • The result extends a four‑match winless run; Maresca faces increased criticism over rotation and in‑game management, Fofana’s eye issue was described as “quite bad,” and his availability for Everton is only hopeful.