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At a Glance

• The Chelsea forward gives Chelsea the advantage in the opening period.
• The Italian outfit the stronger side after the interval and draw level through the striker.
• The Belgian attacker scores a last-gasp winner for the home side.
• The defeat means Chelsea fall to 11th in the group stage of the tournament.
• The top eight progress automatically for the knockouts.

Chelsea's hopes of qualifying automatically for the European Cup knockouts were hit hard as their Italian opponents overturned a deficit to triumph in Bergamo.

Each club entered this game with identical records in the initial stage of this year's competition, having secured three victories, tied one, and lost to sit on ten points.

For large parts there was not much to choose between them in this encounter too, even though Chelsea got their noses in front in the opening 45 minutes when the Brazilian turned in the captain's delivery.

But Atalanta remained a danger going on the attack, with ex- Charlton and Everton attacker creating problems for the backline.

Reece James shot wide in the second half but Atalanta raised the intensity and deservedly levelled when ex-West Ham striker headed in a cross.

The winger drove a powerful shot straight at the keeper but they secured the decisive strike in the closing stages when the Blues defenders backed off Charles de Ketelaere, who seized the opportunity with a low strike.

The visitors tried 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 top eight—the positions that qualify automatically for the knockouts—to eleventh with two group stage fixtures remaining.

The Bergamo club, meanwhile, jump up to third, three points ahead of the Londoners.

Blues Breakdown - Worrying Run Persists

This was a deeply disappointing result for Chelsea as even a point was keeping them well placed to achieve 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 seized the moment.

The Italians are in good form at the moment so this was always going to be a difficult test for the Blues, but they will be frustrated to be leaving with nothing after securing the early advantage.

But the broader context is that this continues Chelsea's worrying streak of results in all competitions.

Since defeating Barcelona 3-0 at the close of November they are now winless in their last four games.

Excessive Changes Proving Expensive?

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

The rotations here came after he implemented the same number for the defeat to Leeds United and six for the draw with AFC Bournemouth prior to the trip to Bergamo.

Maresca will view rotation as vital as he attempts to manage players' minutes and challenge both at home and in Europe, but he insisted the core group of players remains the same for important games.

"I believe in this match [in] the first XI we had eight or nine players who played against Tottenham, Barcelona, and the Gunners," he commented.

"If you look at the five changes that we made relative to Bournemouth it may be different but it is the same eight or nine players who played in that match.

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

What's Next for These Sides?

Chelsea's next European game sees them welcome the Cypriot side on the coming Wednesday (20:00 GMT).

The Italian team, on the other hand, are at home to Athletic Bilbao at the identical kick-off time.