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Key Moments

• Joao Pedro gives Chelsea the advantage in the first half.
• Atalanta the better side after the interval and draw level through Gianluca Scamacca.
• The Belgian attacker scores a late decisive goal for the hosts.
• Loss 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 ambitions of securing a place automatically for the European Cup knockouts were dealt a blow as their Italian opponents fought back to claim victory in their home stadium.

Both sides entered this fixture with identical points tallies in the league phase of this year's competition, having won, tied one, and suffered one defeat to have accrued 10 points.

For extended periods there was little to choose between them in this encounter too, although Chelsea took the lead in the opening 45 minutes when Joao Pedro turned in the captain's delivery.

But Atalanta remained a danger going forwards, with ex- Charlton and Everton attacker creating issues for the backline.

James shot wide in the second half but Atalanta raised the pressure and justly levelled when ex-West Ham striker headed in a cross.

The winger drove a powerful shot straight at the keeper but Atalanta got the decisive strike in the closing stages when the Blues defenders retreated from Charles de Ketelaere, who took full advantage with a low strike.

Chelsea tried to salvage a draw in stoppage time but a brilliant save by Marco Carnesecchi kept out Joao Pedro.

The final score means Chelsea drop out of the top eight—the positions that progress automatically for the next round—to eleventh with two group stage matches remaining.

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

Chelsea Analysis - Worrying Run Continues

This was a deeply frustrating outcome for Chelsea as even a draw was keeping them well placed to achieve the top-eight position they require to avoid the uncertainty of the play-offs.

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

The Italian side are in good form at the moment so this was always going to be a difficult examination for the Blues, but they will be disappointed to be departing with nothing after securing the early advantage.

But the bigger picture is that this continues Chelsea's concerning run of results in all competitions.

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

Excessive Changes Turning Out to Be Expensive?

Manager Enzo Maresca enacted five rotations for this game as he persisted with his strategy of rotating players in and out of the starting lineup.

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

Maresca will see rotation as vital as he tries to handle players' minutes and compete both at domestically and in Europe, but he maintained the core group of players stays the same for crucial fixtures.

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

"If you look at the five changes that we made compared to Bournemouth it may be different but it is the same eight or nine players who played Barcelona.

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

Up Next for These Teams?

Chelsea's next European game sees them welcome Pafos on the coming Wednesday (8pm GMT).

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