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Match Summary

• Joao Pedro hands Chelsea the lead in the first half.
• Atalanta the better side after the interval and draw level through Gianluca Scamacca.
• Charles de Ketelaere nets a late decisive goal for the home side.
• The defeat means Chelsea fall to 11th in the group stage of the tournament.
• The leading eight teams qualify automatically for the knockouts.

The London club's chances of securing a place automatically for the Champions League knockout stages were dealt a blow as Atalanta came from behind to win in Bergamo.

The two teams entered this match with the same points tallies in the initial stage of this year's competition, having won, tied one, and lost to sit on 10 points.

For large parts there was very little to separate them in this encounter too, even though Chelsea got their noses in front in the opening 45 minutes when the Brazilian finished the captain's delivery.

But Atalanta consistently appeared a danger going on the attack, with former Premier League attacker Ademola Lookman issues for the backline.

Reece James fired wide in the second half but the home team increased the intensity and rightfully drew level when ex-West Ham striker headed in a cross.

Alejandro Garnacho hammered a strong effort straight at the keeper but they secured the winner late on when the Blues defenders retreated from Charles de Ketelaere, who seized the opportunity with a powerful strike.

Chelsea attempted to salvage a draw late on but a excellent stop by the Atalanta goalkeeper kept out Pedro.

The outcome means Chelsea fall out of the automatic qualification places—the positions that progress automatically for the knockouts—to eleventh with two league phase matches remaining.

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

Chelsea Analysis - Worrying Form Continues

This was a deeply disappointing result for Chelsea as even a point was leaving them well placed to achieve the top eight finish they require to bypass the lottery of the qualifying play-off round.

But they let their concentration slip 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 test for the visitors, but they will be frustrated to be departing with nothing after securing the lead.

But the broader context is that this extends Chelsea's worrying run of form in all competitions.

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

Excessive Rotations Proving Expensive?

Manager Enzo Enzo Maresca made five rotations for this game as he continued his policy of rotating players in and out of the starting 11.

The rotations here came after he implemented the same number for the loss to Leeds United and six for the draw with Bournemouth prior to the journey to Atalanta.

The coach will view squad rotation as necessary as he attempts to manage players' workloads and challenge both at domestically and abroad, but he maintained the core group of players stays the unchanged for key fixtures.

"I think tonight [in] the starting lineup we had eight or nine players who played against Tottenham Hotspur, FC Barcelona, and the Gunners," he stated.

"If you look at the five changes that we made compared to the previous game it is different but it involves the eight or nine players who played in that match.

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

Up Next for These Teams?

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

The Italian team, meanwhile, are at home to Athletic Club at the same time.