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Match Summary

• The Chelsea forward hands Chelsea the advantage in the opening period.
• Atalanta the stronger side after the interval and equalise through the striker.
• Charles de Ketelaere grabs a last-gasp winner for the home side.
• Loss means Chelsea slide to eleventh place in the group stage of the tournament.
• The top eight progress automatically for the knockouts.

The London club's hopes of securing a place automatically for the European Cup knockouts were dealt a blow as their Italian opponents overturned a deficit to triumph in Bergamo.

Both sides entered this game with identical points tallies in the league phase of this year's competition, having secured three victories, drawn, and lost to be on 10 points.

For large parts there was little to separate them in this encounter too, even though Chelsea went ahead in the first half when the Brazilian converted the captain's delivery.

But Atalanta consistently appeared a danger going on the attack, with former Premier League attacker creating problems for the backline.

Reece James fired wide in the after the break but the home team increased the pressure and deservedly equalised when ex-West Ham striker headed in a centering pass.

The winger hammered a powerful shot straight at the goalkeeper but Atalanta secured the winner in the closing stages when the Blues defence backed off the midfielder, who seized the opportunity with a low shot.

The visitors attempted to rescue a point in stoppage time but a excellent save by Marco Carnesecchi kept out Pedro.

The final score means Chelsea fall out of the top eight—the spots that progress automatically for the knockouts—to 11th with two group stage fixtures remaining.

Atalanta, meanwhile, climb 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 well placed to secure the top eight position they require to bypass the lottery of the play-offs.

But they lost focus in defence with seven minutes remaining and Atalanta took full advantage.

The Italian side are in good form at the moment so this was always going to be a challenging examination for the Blues, but they will be disappointed to be departing with nothing after securing the early advantage.

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

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

Too Many Rotations Proving Expensive?

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

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

Maresca will view squad rotation as vital as he attempts to manage players' fitness and challenge both at domestically and abroad, but he maintained the key nucleus of players remains the unchanged for crucial games.

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

"If you see the five changes that we did relative to Bournemouth it is 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 who feature in almost all the games."

What Next for These Clubs?

The Blues' next European game sees them host Pafos on the coming Wednesday (8pm GMT).

The Italian team, on the other hand, host Athletic Club at the same time.