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Key Moments

• The Chelsea forward gives Chelsea the lead in the opening period.
• The Italian outfit the stronger side after the interval and draw level through the striker.
• Charles de Ketelaere nets a last-gasp winner for the hosts.
• The defeat means Chelsea fall to eleventh place in the group stage of the Champions League.
• The top eight qualify automatically for the knockouts.

Chelsea's ambitions of securing a place automatically for the Champions League knockouts were dealt a blow as their Italian opponents came from behind to triumph in Bergamo.

Each club went into this game with the same points tallies in the initial stage of this season's tournament, having secured three victories, drawn, and suffered one defeat to be on ten points.

For extended periods there was very little to distinguish them in this encounter too, although Chelsea got their noses in front in the opening 45 minutes when the Brazilian converted the captain's delivery.

But Atalanta consistently appeared a threat going forwards, with former Premier League attacker causing problems for the backline.

James fired wide in the after the break but Atalanta raised the intensity and rightfully equalised when former West Ham United striker headed in a centering pass.

The winger hammered a powerful shot straight at the goalkeeper but Atalanta secured the winner late on when the Chelsea defence retreated from the midfielder, who seized the opportunity with a powerful finish.

The visitors tried to salvage a draw late on but a brilliant save by Marco Carnesecchi denied Joao Pedro.

The result means Chelsea fall out of the automatic qualification places—the positions that qualify automatically for the next round—to 11th with two group stage fixtures remaining.

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

Chelsea Analysis - Worrying Form Continues

This was a extremely disappointing result for Chelsea as even a draw was keeping them in a strong position to secure the top eight position they require to bypass the uncertainty of the qualifying play-off round.

But they lacked concentration in defence with seven minutes left on the clock and their opponents took full advantage.

The Italians are in rich vein of form at the moment so this was always going to be a tough test for the visitors, but they will be frustrated to be departing with no points after taking the early advantage.

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

Since defeating the Spanish giants 3-0 at the end of November they are now winless in their last four outings.

Excessive Changes Turning Out to Be Costly?

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca made five alterations for this match as he continued his policy of moving 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 journey to Bergamo.

Maresca will view squad rotation as necessary as he tries to handle players' workloads and compete both at domestically and abroad, but he maintained the core group of players remains the unchanged for important fixtures.

"I believe in this match [in] the starting lineup we had eight or nine players who featured against Tottenham, FC Barcelona, and Arsenal," he commented.

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

"The ones who played tonight are the individuals who feature in almost all the games."

Up Next for These Sides?

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

The Italian team, meanwhile, are at home to Athletic Club at the identical kick-off time.