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Match Summary

• Joao Pedro hands Chelsea the lead in the first half.
• Atalanta the better side after the break and draw level through the striker.
• Charles de Ketelaere grabs a late winner for the hosts.
• The defeat means Chelsea drop to eleventh place in the group stage of the Champions League.
• The top eight qualify automatically for the last 16.

Chelsea's hopes of qualifying automatically for the European Cup knockouts were suffered a setback as their Italian opponents fought back to claim victory in their home stadium.

The two teams went into this fixture with the same points tallies in the initial stage of this year's competition, having secured three victories, tied one, and suffered one defeat to sit on 10 points.

For extended periods there was not much to separate them in this contest too, although Chelsea got their noses in front in the opening 45 minutes when Joao Pedro finished Reece James' delivery.

But The Serie A side consistently appeared a threat going forwards, with former Premier League attacker causing problems for the backline.

James fired wide in the after the break but Atalanta increased the pressure and justly levelled when former West Ham United striker Gianluca Scamacca a centering pass.

The winger hammered a strong effort straight at the goalkeeper but Atalanta got the winner in the closing stages when the Chelsea defence backed off the midfielder, who made no mistake with a low shot.

Chelsea attempted to salvage a draw in stoppage time but a excellent save by Marco Carnesecchi denied Joao Pedro.

The outcome means Chelsea fall out of the automatic qualification places—the positions that progress automatically for the next round—to 11th with two league phase matches left to play.

Atalanta, in contrast, leap up to third place, three points clear of the Londoners.

Chelsea Analysis - Concerning Sequence Persists

This was a hugely frustrating outcome for Chelsea as even a point was keeping them well placed to secure the top eight position they need to bypass the uncertainty of the play-offs.

But they lost focus in their defensive duties with seven minutes remaining and Atalanta seized the moment.

The Italian side are in good form at the moment so this was always going to be a tough test for the Blues, but they will be disappointed to be departing with no points after taking the lead.

But the broader context is that this extends Chelsea's concerning sequence of form in all competitions.

Since defeating the Spanish giants 3-0 at the close of November they are now winless in their last four outings.

Excessive Changes Turning Out to Be Costly?

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca made five rotations for this game as he persisted with his policy of rotating players in and out of the starting lineup.

The changes here came after he implemented the same number for the defeat to Leeds United and six for the draw with Bournemouth prior to the trip to Bergamo.

The coach will view rotation as essential as he tries to handle players' minutes and challenge both at domestically and abroad, but he maintained the core group of players remains the same for important fixtures.

"I think in this match [in] the first XI we had eight or nine players who featured against Tottenham Hotspur, FC Barcelona, and the Gunners," he stated.

"If you see the five alterations that we made compared to the previous game it may be a change but it is the eight or nine players who played in that match.

"The players who took to the field this evening are the ones who feature in almost all the games."

What Next for These Sides?

Chelsea's next European game sees them welcome the Cypriot side on Wednesday, 21 January (8pm GMT).

The Italian team, on the other hand, are at home to Athletic Club at the same time.