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Key Moments

• The Chelsea forward gives Chelsea the advantage in the opening period.
• The Italian outfit the stronger side after the break and equalise through Gianluca Scamacca.
• Charles de Ketelaere grabs a late winner for the hosts.
• Loss means Chelsea slide to eleventh place in the group stage of the Champions League.
• The top eight progress automatically for the last 16.

Chelsea's hopes of qualifying automatically for the Champions League knockouts were hit hard as Atalanta came from behind to claim victory in Bergamo.

The two teams went into this match with the same records in the initial stage of this season's tournament, having secured three victories, drawn, and suffered one defeat to have accrued ten points.

For extended periods there was very little to choose between them in this contest too, even though Chelsea went ahead in the opening 45 minutes when the Brazilian turned in the captain's delivery.

But The Serie A side consistently appeared a danger going on the attack, with former Charlton and Everton attacker causing problems for the backline.

James shot wide in the after the break but Atalanta raised the intensity and justly drew level when ex-West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca a cross.

Alejandro Garnacho drove a powerful shot straight at the keeper but Atalanta secured the winning goal late on when the Chelsea defence retreated from Charles de Ketelaere, who took full advantage with a powerful finish.

Chelsea attempted to salvage a point late on but a brilliant save by the Atalanta goalkeeper kept out Pedro.

The result means Chelsea slip out of the automatic qualification places—the spots that progress automatically for the next round—to 11th with two league phase games left to play.

Atalanta, meanwhile, climb up to third place, three points clear of the Londoners.

Chelsea Analysis - Worrying Run Persists

This was a hugely disappointing result for Chelsea as even a point was leaving them well placed to secure the top eight position they require to bypass the lottery of the play-offs.

But they let their concentration slip in their defensive duties 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 examination for the Blues, but they will be frustrated to be leaving with nothing after securing the lead.

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

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

Too Many Rotations Turning Out to Be Expensive?

Manager Enzo Enzo Maresca made five alterations for this game as he persisted with his run of moving players in and out of the starting 11.

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 essential as he attempts to handle players' workloads and challenge both at domestically and in Europe, but he stated the key nucleus of players remains the same for crucial fixtures.

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

"If you look at the five changes that we made compared to Bournemouth it is a change but it involves the same eight or nine players playing Barcelona.

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

What Next for These Teams?

The Blues' next Champions League fixture sees them host the Cypriot side on Wednesday, 21 January (20:00 GMT).

Atalanta, meanwhile, host Athletic Club at the identical kick-off time.