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Key Moments

• The Chelsea forward gives Chelsea the lead in the first half.
• Atalanta the stronger side after the interval and draw level through the striker.
• Charles de Ketelaere nets a late decisive goal for the hosts.
• The defeat means Chelsea fall to eleventh place in the league phase of the Champions League.
• The top eight qualify automatically for the knockouts.

Chelsea's ambitions of securing a place automatically for the European Cup knockouts were dealt a blow as their Italian opponents came from behind to win in their home stadium.

The two teams entered this game with identical points tallies in the initial stage of this season's competition, having secured three victories, drawn, and suffered one defeat to sit on 10 points.

For much of the game there was not much to distinguish them in this contest too, although Chelsea went ahead in the first half when Joao Pedro finished Reece James' delivery.

But Atalanta always looked a threat going forward, with ex- Premier League attacker Ademola Lookman issues for the defence.

Reece James fired wide in the after the break but Atalanta upped the intensity and rightfully drew level when former West Ham United striker nodded home a cross.

The winger hammered a strong effort straight at the goalkeeper but they got the winner late on when the Chelsea defenders retreated from Charles de Ketelaere, who seized the opportunity with a low strike.

Chelsea tried to rescue a point in stoppage time but a superb save by Marco Carnesecchi kept out Pedro.

The outcome means Chelsea slip out of the automatic qualification places—the spots that progress automatically for the knockouts—to 11th with two group stage fixtures remaining.

The Bergamo club, meanwhile, jump up to third, three points ahead of the Londoners.

Blues Breakdown - Worrying Run Persists

This was a hugely frustrating outcome for Chelsea as even a point was keeping them in a strong position to secure the top-eight position they require to avoid the lottery of the qualifying play-off round.

But they lost focus in their defensive duties with seven minutes remaining and their opponents took full advantage.

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

But the broader context is that this perpetuates Chelsea's worrying streak of results in all tournaments.

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

Too Many Rotations Turning Out to Be Costly?

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

The changes here followed after he implemented the identical amount for the loss to Leeds United and six for the tie with Bournemouth prior to the trip to Bergamo.

Maresca will see squad rotation as vital as he attempts to manage players' workloads and compete both at home and in Europe, but he stated the key nucleus of players stays the same for key fixtures.

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

"If you look at the five alterations that we made relative to the previous game it is different but it is the eight or nine players who played Barcelona.

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

Up Next for These Clubs?

The Blues' next European fixture sees them host Pafos on Wednesday, 21 January (8pm GMT).

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