🔗 Share this article

At a Glance

• The Chelsea forward gives Chelsea the advantage in the opening period.
• The Italian outfit the better side after the break and draw level through Gianluca Scamacca.
• Charles de Ketelaere scores a last-gasp decisive goal for the hosts.
• The defeat means Chelsea fall to 11th in the group stage of the Champions League.
• The top eight qualify automatically for the last 16.

Chelsea's ambitions of qualifying automatically for the European Cup knockout stages were dealt a blow as their Italian opponents overturned a deficit to win in Bergamo.

The two teams entered this match with identical records in the league phase of this season's tournament, having won, drawn, and suffered one defeat to be on 10 points.

For much of the game there was very little to choose between them in this contest too, although Chelsea took the lead in the first half when Joao Pedro turned in Reece James' cross.

But Atalanta consistently appeared a danger going on the attack, with ex- Premier League attacker causing issues for the backline.

James fired wide in the after the break but the home team upped the intensity and justly equalised when ex-West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca a centering pass.

The winger hammered a powerful shot straight at the goalkeeper but they scored the decisive strike in the closing stages when the Chelsea defence retreated from the midfielder, who seized the opportunity with a low strike.

Chelsea attempted to salvage a draw in stoppage time but a excellent stop by the Atalanta goalkeeper kept out Joao Pedro.

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

The Bergamo club, in contrast, leap up to third place, three points ahead of the Londoners.

Chelsea Analysis - Concerning Run Continues

This was a deeply frustrating outcome for Chelsea as even a point was leaving them in a strong position to secure the top-eight position they need to avoid the uncertainty of the qualifying play-off round.

But they lacked concentration in defence with seven minutes remaining and Atalanta took full advantage.

The Italians are in fine fettle at the moment so this was always going to be a tough examination for the Blues, but they will be annoyed to be departing with no points after securing the early advantage.

But the broader context is that this perpetuates Chelsea's worrying sequence of form in all tournaments.

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

Excessive Rotations Turning Out to Be Expensive?

Manager Enzo Maresca enacted five changes for this game as he continued his policy of rotating players in and out of the starting lineup.

The changes here came after he made the same number for the defeat to Leeds United and six for the tie with Bournemouth prior to the trip to Bergamo.

Maresca will view rotation as essential as he attempts to handle players' minutes and compete both at domestically and in Europe, but he insisted the central contingent of players stays the same for important fixtures.

"I think tonight [in] the starting lineup we had eight or nine players who featured against Tottenham, Barcelona, and Arsenal," he said.

"If you look at the five alterations that we did relative to Bournemouth it is a change but it is the eight or nine players playing in that match.

"The ones who took to the field this evening are the ones who feature in almost all the matches."

Up Next for These Sides?

Chelsea's next Champions League fixture sees them welcome Pafos on Wednesday, 21 January (8pm GMT).

Atalanta, on the other hand, host Athletic Club at the identical kick-off time.