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Key Moments

• Joao Pedro gives Chelsea the advantage in the opening period.
• Atalanta the better side after the break and equalise through the striker.
• Charles de Ketelaere nets a last-gasp decisive goal for the hosts.
• Loss means Chelsea slide to 11th in the group stage of the Champions League.
• The top eight qualify automatically for the knockout phase.

The London club's chances of securing a place automatically for the European Cup knockout stages were hit hard as Atalanta fought back to claim victory in Bergamo.

Each club went into this game with the same points tallies in the league phase of this year's competition, having secured three victories, tied one, and lost to have accrued ten points.

For large parts there was not much to distinguish them in this encounter too, although Chelsea took the lead in the opening 45 minutes when Joao Pedro converted Reece James' cross.

But The Serie A side remained a danger going forwards, with former Charlton and Everton attacker causing issues for the backline.

James fired wide in the second half but Atalanta raised the pressure and justly drew level when former West Ham United striker nodded home a cross.

The winger drove a strong effort straight at the goalkeeper but Atalanta secured the decisive strike late on when the Chelsea defenders retreated from the midfielder, who took full advantage with a low strike.

The visitors tried to salvage a point in stoppage time but a brilliant stop by Marco Carnesecchi kept out Pedro.

The final score means Chelsea drop out of the automatic qualification places—the spots that progress automatically for the knockouts—to eleventh with two league phase matches left to play.

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

Chelsea Analysis - Concerning Form Continues

This was a extremely frustrating outcome for Chelsea as even a draw was keeping them in a strong position to secure the top-eight finish they need to avoid the lottery of the play-offs.

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

The Italian side are in fine fettle at the moment so this was always going to be a tough examination for the visitors, but they will be disappointed to be leaving with no points after securing the early advantage.

But the bigger picture is that this extends Chelsea's worrying streak of form in all competitions.

Since beating the Spanish giants 3-0 at the end of November they are now winless in their last four matches.

Excessive Changes Turning Out to Be Expensive?

Manager Enzo Maresca enacted five changes for this game as he continued his strategy of moving players in and out of the starting 11.

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

The coach will view squad rotation as necessary as he attempts to handle players' workloads and challenge both at home and in Europe, but he insisted the key nucleus of players remains 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 the Gunners," he said.

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

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

Up Next for These Sides?

The Blues' next Champions League game sees them welcome Pafos on Wednesday, 21 January (20:00 GMT).

Atalanta, on the other hand, are at home to Athletic Club at the identical kick-off time.