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Match Summary

• Joao Pedro gives Chelsea the lead in the opening period.
• The Italian outfit the better side after the break and equalise through Gianluca Scamacca.
• Charles de Ketelaere grabs a late winner for the hosts.
• Loss means Chelsea slide to eleventh place in the league phase of the Champions League.
• The leading eight teams progress automatically for the last 16.

The London club's chances of qualifying automatically for the European Cup knockout stages were dealt a blow as their Italian opponents fought back to claim victory in Bergamo.

Both sides entered this game with the same records in the league phase of this season's tournament, having secured three victories, drawn, and suffered one defeat to have accrued 10 points.

For much of the game there was little to distinguish them in this encounter too, although Chelsea got their noses in front in the opening 45 minutes when the Brazilian converted Reece James' delivery.

But The Serie A side always looked a danger going forward, with ex- Charlton and Everton attacker Ademola Lookman issues for the backline.

Reece James fired wide in the after the break but Atalanta raised the pressure and deservedly levelled when ex-West Ham striker nodded home a cross.

Alejandro Garnacho drove a strong effort straight at the keeper but they secured the winner in the closing stages when the Blues defenders retreated from Charles de Ketelaere, who seized the opportunity with a low finish.

The visitors tried to rescue a point in stoppage time but a superb stop by Marco Carnesecchi denied Joao Pedro.

The result means Chelsea slip out of the top eight—the spots that progress automatically for the knockouts—to 11th with two group stage games remaining.

Atalanta, meanwhile, jump up to third place, three points clear of the Londoners.

Blues Breakdown - Worrying Run Persists

This was a hugely frustrating result for Chelsea as even a point was keeping them well placed to achieve 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 their opponents seized the moment.

The Italians are in fine fettle 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 early advantage.

But the bigger picture is that this continues Chelsea's concerning streak 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.

Too Many Changes Proving Expensive?

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca enacted five rotations for this game as he continued his policy of moving players in and out of the first team.

The changes here followed after he implemented the same number for the loss to Leeds and six for the draw with AFC Bournemouth prior to the trip to Atalanta.

The coach will view rotation as necessary as he attempts to manage players' fitness and compete both at home and abroad, but he stated the core group of players stays the unchanged for important fixtures.

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

"If you look at the five changes that we did compared to the previous game it is a change but it is the eight or nine players playing in that match.

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

Up Next for These Sides?

Chelsea's next Champions League game sees them host the Cypriot side on Wednesday, 21 January (20:00 GMT).

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