With identical records after five rounds of the 2025-26 Champions League, Atalanta BC and Chelsea are set for a compelling league-phase showdown in Bergamo on Tuesday.
Both sides have accumulated 10 points from a possible 15, though Chelsea occupy a position three places higher thanks to their superior goal difference.
Atalanta
Mirroring their visitors’ trajectory, Atalanta have taken 10 points from the last 12 available in Europe following an opening-day defeat to reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain, recording three clean sheets in the process.
Raffaele Palladino’s men recently cruised to a 3-0 triumph over Bundesliga giants Eintracht Frankfurt on the road, which came after a hard-fought 1-0 success at Marseille and a drab stalemate with Slavia Prague.
Despite matching Chelsea’s points tally, La Dea have scored half as many goals as the Club World Cup holders and currently sit 10th, outside the automatic last-16 berths. A positive result, however, could catapult them into the coveted top-eight positions.
Like their opponents, Atalanta approach matchday six on the back of domestic disappointment, as a three-game winning streak across all competitions was halted by a shock 3-1 Serie A reverse to Hellas Verona on Saturday.
Once renowned for their free-scoring exploits under Gian Piero Gasperini, Atalanta have endured a sharp decline and languish in 12th place in Serie A, though their Champions League campaign has offered some respite.
Team News
No fresh injury concerns emerged from the Verona defeat, but Kamaldeen Sulemana (muscle) and Mitchel Bakker (ACL) remain sidelined.
Palladino faces key selection dilemmas after Saturday’s setback, with Gianluca Scamacca—who netted the consolation goal—expected to replace Nikola Krstovic up front.
Former Chelsea full-back Davide Zappacosta may also miss out on a reunion from the start, as Nicola Zalewski provides an alternative on the left flank.
Chelsea
Chelsea humiliated Hansi Flick’s high-risk defensive setup when Barcelona visited Stamford Bridge, ruthlessly dismantling the reigning La Liga champions in a 3-0 victory on matchday five.
Capitalizing on Ronald Araujo’s dismissal and Barcelona’s chaotic backline, Enzo Maresca’s men eased to a third win in four Champions League outings, strengthening their grip on a top-eight spot.
Currently seventh, Chelsea would qualify directly for the last 16 without a playoff if they hold that position, and they travel to Bergamo buoyed by an excellent record against Italian opposition—three straight European wins over Serie A clubs, all with clean sheets.
However, since dismantling Barcelona, the Conference League holders have faltered domestically, collecting just two points from three Premier League fixtures, including a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United and a dull 0-0 draw with Bournemouth.
Team News
Moises Caicedo returns from suspension for this clash, offering a major boost in midfield and possibly allowing Reece James to be rested.
On the downside, striker Liam Delap suffered a serious shoulder injury against Bournemouth and joins Romeo Lavia (thigh), Levi Colwill (knee), Dario Essugo (thigh), and Mykhaylo Mudryk (doping ban) on the absentee list.
Marc Guiu deputized for Delap at the weekend, but Joao Pedro is tipped to lead the line, while Cole Palmer could drop to the bench for rotation purposes.
Conclusion
Caicedo’s comeback injects fresh energy into Chelsea’s setup, and Maresca boasts ample attacking options to shuffle his pack.
Atalanta’s European resilience contrasts with their domestic frailties, yet Palladino’s inconsistent defense remains a concern.
A tight contest is expected, but Chelsea appear better equipped to edge a narrow victory.
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