Chelsea's Automatic Qualification Ambitions Dealt a Blow by Loss at Bergamo

At a Glance

• The Chelsea forward hands Chelsea the advantage in the opening period.
• Atalanta the stronger side after the break and draw level through the striker.
• Charles de Ketelaere nets a last-gasp decisive goal for the hosts.
• The defeat means Chelsea drop to eleventh place in the group stage of the tournament.
• The leading eight teams progress automatically for the knockout phase.

The London club's ambitions of qualifying automatically for the European Cup knockout stages were suffered a setback as their Italian opponents overturned a deficit to win in their home stadium.

Each club entered this game with matching records in the initial stage of this season's competition, having secured three victories, drawn, and lost to have accrued 10 points.

For large parts there was very little to distinguish them in this contest too, although Chelsea went ahead in the first half when Joao Pedro converted the captain's delivery.

But Atalanta remained a threat going forwards, with ex- Charlton and Everton attacker Ademola Lookman issues for the defence.

Reece James fired wide in the second half but Atalanta increased the pressure and rightfully levelled when ex-West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca a centering pass.

Alejandro Garnacho hammered a strong effort straight at the keeper but they scored the decisive strike in the closing stages when the Chelsea defenders backed off the midfielder, who made no mistake with a driven finish.

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

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

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

Chelsea Analysis - Worrying Form Persists

This was a extremely disappointing outcome for Chelsea as even a draw was leaving them well placed to achieve the top-eight position they need to avoid the uncertainty of the qualifying play-off round.

But they let their concentration slip in defence with seven minutes remaining and their opponents took full advantage.

The Italian side are in fine fettle at the moment so this was always going to be a tough examination for the visitors, but they will be disappointed to be departing with no points after securing the lead.

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

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

Excessive Changes Turning Out to Be Costly?

Manager Enzo Maresca enacted five alterations for this game as he persisted with his policy of moving players in and out of the starting lineup.

The rotations here followed after he made the identical amount for the loss to Leeds and six for the tie with AFC Bournemouth prior to the journey to Atalanta.

The coach will view rotation as vital as he attempts to handle players' fitness and challenge both at home and abroad, but he insisted the core group of players stays the unchanged for important games.

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

"If you look at the five alterations that we made compared to the previous game it is a change but it involves the eight or nine players who played Barcelona.

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

What's Next for These Teams?

Chelsea's next European game sees them welcome the Cypriot side on Wednesday, 21 January (20:00 GMT).

The Italian team, on the other hand, are at home to Athletic Club at the same time.