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Key Moments

• Joao Pedro hands Chelsea the advantage in the opening period.
• The Italian outfit the stronger side after the interval and draw level through the striker.
• The Belgian attacker scores a late decisive goal for the hosts.
• The defeat means Chelsea fall to 11th in the league phase of the tournament.
• The top eight qualify automatically for the knockouts.

Chelsea's chances of securing a place automatically for the Champions League knockout stages were suffered a setback as Atalanta came from behind to win in their home stadium.

Both sides went into this game with the same points tallies in the league phase of this season's tournament, having won, drawn, and suffered one defeat to be on ten points.

For extended periods there was very little to separate them in this encounter too, although Chelsea took the lead in the opening 45 minutes when Joao Pedro finished the captain's cross.

But The Serie A side always looked a danger going on the attack, with ex- Premier League attacker causing issues for the defence.

Reece James shot wide in the second half but the home team upped the pressure and justly levelled when ex-West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca a centering pass.

Alejandro Garnacho drove a strong effort straight at the goalkeeper but Atalanta secured the winner late on when the Blues defenders backed off the midfielder, who seized the opportunity with a driven shot.

Chelsea attempted to rescue a point late on but a superb save by the Atalanta goalkeeper kept out Joao Pedro.

The outcome means Chelsea slip out of the automatic qualification places—the spots that qualify automatically for the knockouts—to eleventh with two group stage matches remaining.

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 in a strong position to secure the top eight finish they require to avoid the lottery 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 frustrated to be departing with no points after securing the lead.

But the bigger picture is that this continues Chelsea's worrying sequence of form in all tournaments.

Since beating Barcelona 3-0 at the close of November they are now winless in their last four games.

Too Many Changes Turning Out to Be Costly?

Manager Enzo Enzo Maresca enacted five rotations for this match as he persisted with his run of rotating players in and out of the first team.

The rotations here came after he made the identical amount for the loss to Leeds and six for the tie with AFC Bournemouth prior to the journey to Bergamo.

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

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

"If you see the five changes that we made relative to the previous game it is different but it involves the same eight or nine players playing Barcelona.

"The players who took to the field tonight are the ones who feature in almost all the matches."

What's Next for These Clubs?

The Blues' next European fixture sees them welcome Pafos on the coming Wednesday (8pm GMT).

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