‘WAKE me up, when December ends…’
That’s how the Chelsea fans will be feeling, after they failed to pick up three points in the month of advent for the third attempt in a row.
It looked as though Enzo Maresca‘s festive fortunes might finally be changing when Joao Pedro gave Chelsea a 1-0 lead, tapping home a Reece James cross from the left-hand side.
But a second-half double from Atalanta, including a close-range header from former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca, meant that Chelsea were left wanting once again.
The result means the Blues sit around the middle of the UCL table, which they will be hoping can be remedied by a visit from Pafos up next in this competition.
This is how SunSport Chelsea Reporter Lloyd Canfield rated the players…
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ROBERT SANCHEZ – 5
Has been up there with Chelsea’s best players this season, and was instantly called into action to deny Ademola Lookman giving Atalanta the lead within the opening minutes.
His second half wasn’t as strong as the first, looking a little shaky with the ball at his feet at times under pressure.
Should’ve done better for the winning goal.
JOSH ACHEAMPONG – 7
Enzo Maresca admitted he regretted not using Josh Acheampong in Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Leeds, and it’s easy to see why – he was Chelsea’s best defender tonight.
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Saved an almost certain goal after just 20 minutes with an incredible sliding block in his own six-yard box, and celebrated it like a goal.
Tosin Adarabioyo will be worrying about his game time after watching that display full of blocks and tackles. A titan tonight.
TREVOH CHALOBAH – 4
Picked up a first-half yellow card, which saw him substituted at half-time – he seemed to struggle a little physically against ex-West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca.
Not an awful performance by any means, but slightly below average.
BENOIT BADIASHILE – 3
Not his best performance in a Chelsea shirt. Disappointing in terms of playing the ball out from the back, and looked slow in terms of his recovery.
Stood off of De Ketelaere for far too long, and allowed him way too much time to score the winner for the home side.
MARC CUCURELLA – 4
Looked leggy at times and as though he might need a rest, he looks at danger of being run into the ground by Maresca.
Was for the most part solid, but similarly to Badiashile, should have been closer to Charles De Ketelaere for Atalanta’s winner.
REECE JAMES – 7
Bounced back nicely after a poor midfield display against Bournemouth at the weekend.
Looks far more comfortable in the middle alongside Moises Caicedo, who complements him much better than Enzo Fernandez in a deeper role, and clocked a wonderful assist for Joao Pedro’s opening goal.
Should’ve probably also scored early in the second half, with a volley dragged just wide of the post from the middle of the box.
MOISES CAICEDO – 6
Even when he’s not stealing the headlines, he simply makes this Chelsea team so much better.
Two games felt like two years without him for Blues’ supporters, who will miss him (hopefully) for the final time against Everton this weekend.
He was strong defensively and just made the simple passes whenever needed.
PEDRO NETO – 5
You generally don’t get less than a five out of ten from Pedro Neto most weeks, because he works so hard for the team and always causes problems for opposition defenders with his pace.
But to go beyond that, he needs to be more influential and decisive than he was tonight – and on this occasion he just didn’t have the end product we have seen from him in recent weeks.
ENZO FERNANDEZ – 4
Made plenty of good runs, but didn’t look like doing anything with the ball when he got it.
Similarly to Cucurella, he looked like a victim of being overplayed.
His final ball was a bit off, in what wasn’t his best showing in a Chelsea shirt before being hooked with half an hour to go.
JAMIE GITTENS – 5
Worked hard defensively and troubled the keeper with a powerful shot in the second half, but overall didn’t cause enough problems for the Atalanta defenders.
He was largely marshalled well by former Blues defender Davide Zappacosta throughout the second half, and maybe could’ve been a little closer to his man for the home side’s equaliser.
JOAO PEDRO – 6
Scored a much-needed first Champions League goal in his bid to become the man Chelsea need up front, especially with Liam Delap injured again.
Was a danger in the box and made it look so easy as he slid in front of the Atalanta keeper to slot home.
His link-up play at times looked a little out of swing with his team-mates and he could have levelled the scoring with a volley at the end, but it was saved by the keeper.
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WESLEY FOFANA (TREVOH CHALOBAH, HT) – 4
He was a little too relaxed in his defending, unaware of Scamacca looming behind him to head in Atalanta’s equalising goal.
Made a few important tackles and blocks after that, before being caught in the face by a boot and needing to be substituted with an eye injury.
Played a total of half an hour.
MALO GUSTO (ENZO FERNANDEZ, 66) – 4
Was hardly at all involved after coming on.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO (PEDRO NETO, 66) – 5
Largely ineffective from the bench, not causing many problems for Zappacosta on the right side of the Atalanta defence.
Worked one decent half-chance but could only hit it into the palms of the goalkeeper, before doing the same before full-time.
At least he looked to shoot on sight and forced the keeper into making saves.
TOSIN ADARABIOYO (WESLEY FOFANA, 75) – 5
Not at fault for the second goal, but coming on before conceding won’t do his confidence any good.
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