Atalanta v Chelsea player ratings
Chelsea suffered a shock Champions League defeat in Italy – a blow to their hopes of automatic qualification for the last 16. Here’s how we rated each Blues player in the 2-1 defeat against Atalanta.
Robert Sanchez: 5
Did his best to keep out Gianluca Scamacca’s equaliser, but had little chance with the header from close range. Should have stopped Charles De Ketelaere’s winner though.
Josh Acheampong: 7
Started at right back and dealt well with Atalanta’s attempts to overload the wings early on. Made a huge block to deny Ademola Lookman from point-blank range shortly before Chelsea’s goal. Rode out much of the second-half storm so well that it’s easy to forget he’s still a teenager, even if he was on the losing side.
Trevoh Chalobah: 6
Confident enough at centre-back in the first 45 minutes, but did struggle at times against Scamacca and was booked inside 30 minutes. Replaced by Wesley Fofana at half-time, likely because of that yellow card.
Benoit Badiashile: 6
Assured in defence for much of the game as boss Enzo Maresca shuffled his backline once more, but was guilty of backing off De Ketelaere as he made his way into the box unchallenged before unleashing his match-winning effort.
Marc Cucurella: 6
Showed good movement going forward at times – linked up well with Pedro Neto and Reece James around the box. Wasn’t necessarily troubled by ex-Chelsea man Davide Zappacosta, who came off the bench early to replace injured wingback Raoul Bellanova, but should have attempted to close down De Ketelaere late on.
Reece James: 8
Impressed again in midfield. Provided the assist for Chelsea’s goal, when he linked up with Enzo Fernandez on the edge of the box, timed his run to perfection and delivered an inch-perfect cross for Joeo Pedro to tap in. Already appears to be a world-class defensive midfielder.
Moises Caicedo: 7
Was the ideal partner for James in midfield, and reminded Chelsea what they are missing as he serves a three-game domestic ban. The Blues look a far better team when Caicedo is on the pitch.
Pedro Neto: 6
Bright in the first half and provided a consistent threat as he looked to deliver dangerous crosses or cut inside. Also linked up well with team-mates around the box, but didn’t get a clear sight of goal before he was subbed off.
Enzo Fernandez: 6
Tireless work in midfield, playing ahead of Caicedo and James. But often lacked the kind of ingenuity to unlock Atalanta’s defence, either as a playmaker, or when running in behind to get on the end of a pass himself. Made way for Malo Gusto midway through the second half as Maresca tried to deal with relentless Atalanta pressure.
Jamie Gittens: 6
Quiet on the left flank in the first half compared to Neto, who operated on the right. Showed flashes in the second and provided a moment of magic just after the break when he turned away from a couple of challenges and slipped a pass into Fernandez, who should have done better bearing down on goal. Also had a decent shot parried away by Marco Carnesecchi.
Joao Pedro: 7
Opened the scoring with a real poacher’s goal against the run of play. Was alive to James’ low cross, and slipped the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs. Struggled to get into the game for the most part, and offered little threat beyond the early goal, but was unlucky not to snatch a last-second equaliser from Acheampong’s knock-down.
Wesley Fofana: 5
Failed to track Scamacca’s run into the box before the Italian split the Chelsea centre-backs and nodded Atalanta’s equaliser past Sanchez. Unlucky to be caught in the face by a rogue stud late on and was unable to finish the game.
Malo Gusto: 6
Helped settle Chelsea when he was introduced amid a spell of Atalanta pressure, but the Blues eventually buckled.
Alejandro Garnacho: 6
Drew a couple of saves from Carnesecchi, including one in the final moments as Chelsea chased a late equaliser.
Tosin Adarabioyo: 6
Perhaps didn’t expect to come off the bench and replace a fellow substitute in Fofana. Wasn’t at fault for De Ketelaere’s late winner.
