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Match Summary

• The Chelsea forward hands Chelsea the lead in the opening period.
• The Italian outfit the better side after the break and equalise through Gianluca Scamacca.
• Charles de Ketelaere grabs a late winner for the hosts.
• Loss means Chelsea drop to eleventh place in the group stage of the Champions League.
• The leading eight teams qualify automatically for the last 16.

Chelsea's hopes of securing a place automatically for the Champions League knockouts were dealt a blow as their Italian opponents came from behind to win in Bergamo.

Each club entered this game with identical records in the league phase of this year's tournament, having secured three victories, tied one, and lost to sit on 10 points.

For extended periods there was not much to separate them in this contest too, although Chelsea took the lead in the opening 45 minutes when Joao Pedro turned in Reece James' cross.

But Atalanta always looked a danger going forward, with ex- Premier League attacker creating issues for the backline.

Reece James fired wide in the after the break but Atalanta upped the pressure and deservedly drew level when ex-West Ham striker headed in a centering pass.

Alejandro Garnacho drove a powerful shot straight at the keeper but Atalanta got the winning goal in the closing stages when the Chelsea defence backed off Charles de Ketelaere, who made no mistake with a low shot.

Chelsea attempted to salvage a draw in stoppage time but a superb save by the Atalanta goalkeeper kept out Pedro.

The outcome means Chelsea drop out of the top eight—the positions that progress automatically for the next round—to 11th with two league phase fixtures left to play.

Atalanta, meanwhile, jump up to third, three points ahead of the Blues.

Chelsea Analysis - Concerning Form Persists

This was a extremely frustrating outcome for Chelsea as even a draw was leaving them well placed to secure the top eight position they need to avoid the lottery of the qualifying play-off round.

But they let their concentration slip in their defensive duties with seven minutes left on the clock and their opponents capitalised completely.

The Italians are in fine fettle at the moment so this was always going to be a difficult examination for the Blues, but they will be annoyed to be leaving with no points after taking the early advantage.

But the wider issue is that this extends Chelsea's worrying run of form in all tournaments.

Since beating the Spanish giants 3-0 at the end of November they are now without a win in their last four matches.

Too Many Changes Proving Costly?

Manager Enzo Maresca made five changes for this match as he continued his strategy of moving players in and out of the starting lineup.

The rotations here came after he made the same number for the defeat to Leeds United and six for the tie with AFC Bournemouth prior to the trip to Atalanta.

The coach will view rotation as necessary as he tries to manage players' fitness and challenge both at domestically and in Europe, but he stated the central contingent of players stays the unchanged for key fixtures.

"I believe tonight [in] the first XI we had eight or nine players who played against Tottenham, FC Barcelona, and the Gunners," he stated.

"If you look at the five alterations that we made compared to Bournemouth it is a change but it is the eight or nine players who played Barcelona.

"The players who took to the field this evening are the individuals playing almost all the games."

What's Next for These Teams?

Chelsea's next European game sees them host Pafos on Wednesday, 21 January (8pm GMT).

The Italian team, meanwhile, are at home to Athletic Bilbao at the identical kick-off time.