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At a Glance

• Joao Pedro gives Chelsea the advantage in the opening period.
• Atalanta the stronger side after the interval and draw level through the striker.
• The Belgian attacker scores a last-gasp decisive goal for the hosts.
• Loss means Chelsea fall to 11th in the league phase of the Champions League.
• The leading eight teams qualify automatically for the knockout phase.

Chelsea's hopes of qualifying automatically for the European Cup knockout stages were suffered a setback as Atalanta came from behind to claim victory in Bergamo.

The two teams went into this match with matching records in the initial stage of this year's tournament, having secured three victories, tied one, and lost to have accrued 10 points.

For much of the game there was very little to separate them in this contest too, even though Chelsea went ahead in the first half when Joao Pedro converted the captain's delivery.

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

Reece James shot wide in the second half but Atalanta increased the pressure and rightfully levelled when ex-West Ham striker nodded home a centering pass.

The winger hammered a strong effort straight at the keeper but Atalanta got the winning goal late on when the Chelsea defenders retreated from the midfielder, who made no mistake with a powerful shot.

Chelsea attempted to salvage a draw in stoppage time but a brilliant save by Marco Carnesecchi denied Pedro.

The final score means Chelsea slip out of the automatic qualification places—the spots that qualify automatically for the knockouts—to eleventh with two group stage fixtures remaining.

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

Chelsea Analysis - Worrying Form Persists

This was a hugely disappointing outcome for Chelsea as even a point was keeping them in a strong position to secure the top-eight position they need to bypass the uncertainty of the qualifying play-off round.

But they lacked concentration in their defensive duties with seven minutes remaining and Atalanta capitalised completely.

The Italians are in rich vein of form at the moment so this was always going to be a difficult examination for the visitors, but they will be disappointed to be leaving with no points after taking the lead.

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

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

Excessive Changes Turning Out to Be Expensive?

Manager Enzo Enzo Maresca made five rotations for this match as he persisted with his policy of moving players in and out of the starting lineup.

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

Maresca will see rotation as vital as he attempts to handle players' workloads and challenge both at domestically and in Europe, but he stated the central contingent of players remains the same for key games.

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

"If you look at the five alterations that we made compared to the previous game it may be a change but it is the eight or nine players playing Barcelona.

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

Up Next for These Sides?

The Blues' next Champions League game sees them host the Cypriot side on the coming Wednesday (20:00 GMT).

The Italian team, on the other hand, are at home to Athletic Club at the same time.