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Key Moments

• The Chelsea forward hands Chelsea the lead in the first half.
• The Italian outfit the better side after the break and draw level through the striker.
• Charles de Ketelaere grabs a last-gasp winner for the home side.
• Loss means Chelsea fall to 11th in the group stage of the tournament.
• The top eight progress automatically for the knockouts.

The London club's ambitions of securing a place automatically for the European Cup knockouts were hit hard as Atalanta came from behind to win in Bergamo.

The two teams went into this match with identical records in the league phase of this year's tournament, having secured three victories, drawn, and lost to be on 10 points.

For much of the game there was very little to separate them in this contest too, even though Chelsea got their noses in front in the first half when the Brazilian converted the captain's cross.

But The Serie A side remained a danger going on the attack, with former Charlton and Everton attacker Ademola Lookman issues for the backline.

James fired wide in the after the break but Atalanta upped the pressure and justly levelled when former West Ham United striker nodded home a centering pass.

The winger drove a strong effort straight at the goalkeeper but they got the winning goal in the closing stages when the Blues defenders backed off the midfielder, who seized the opportunity with a low strike.

Chelsea tried to rescue a draw late on but a superb stop by Marco Carnesecchi kept out Pedro.

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

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

Chelsea Analysis - Concerning Form Continues

This was a hugely disappointing result for Chelsea as even a point was leaving them in a strong position to achieve the top eight finish they need to avoid the lottery 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 rich vein of form at the moment so this was always going to be a difficult test for the visitors, but they will be frustrated to be departing with nothing after securing the early advantage.

But the wider issue is that this continues Chelsea's troubling run of results in all tournaments.

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

Excessive Rotations Proving Expensive?

Chelsea boss Maresca enacted five alterations for this match as he persisted with his policy of moving players in and out of the first team.

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

The coach will view squad rotation as necessary as he attempts to handle players' workloads and compete both at domestically and abroad, but he stated the central contingent of players remains the same for important games.

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

"If you look at the five changes that we made compared to Bournemouth it may be different but it involves the same eight or nine players playing in that match.

"The ones who played this evening are the ones playing almost all the games."

What's Next for These Sides?

The Blues' next Champions League fixture sees them welcome the Cypriot side on Wednesday, 21 January (8pm GMT).

The Italian team, on the other hand, host Athletic Club at the same time.