🔗 Share this article

Match Summary

• The Chelsea forward hands Chelsea the advantage in the first half.
• Atalanta the better side after the interval and equalise through the striker.
• The Belgian attacker grabs a late winner for the home side.
• The defeat means Chelsea slide to 11th in the group stage of the tournament.
• The top eight qualify automatically for the last 16.

The London club's hopes of securing a place automatically for the Champions League knockouts were suffered a setback as Atalanta came from behind to win in their home stadium.

The two teams entered this match with identical records in the initial stage of this season's competition, having won, tied one, and lost to sit on 10 points.

For large parts there was little to choose between them in this encounter too, although Chelsea took the lead in the opening 45 minutes when Joao Pedro finished the captain's delivery.

But The Serie A side remained a threat going forwards, with ex- Charlton and Everton attacker causing issues for the backline.

Reece James shot wide in the after the break but Atalanta increased the pressure and justly equalised when ex-West Ham striker headed in a centering pass.

The winger hammered a strong effort straight at the goalkeeper but Atalanta secured the winner late on when the Chelsea defenders backed off the midfielder, who seized the opportunity with a low shot.

Chelsea tried to salvage a point late on but a brilliant save by Marco Carnesecchi kept out Joao Pedro.

The final score means Chelsea slip out of the top eight—the spots that progress automatically for the next round—to eleventh with two group stage matches left to play.

Atalanta, in contrast, jump up to third, three points ahead of the Londoners.

Blues Breakdown - Concerning Run Continues

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

But they lost focus in defence with seven minutes remaining and Atalanta seized the moment.

The Italian side are in fine fettle at the moment so this was always going to be a challenging test for the visitors, but they will be disappointed to be departing with nothing after taking the early advantage.

But the wider issue is that this perpetuates Chelsea's worrying run 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 outings.

Too Many Rotations Proving Expensive?

Chelsea boss Maresca made five rotations for this game as he persisted with his run of rotating players in and out of the starting 11.

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

The coach will see rotation as necessary as he tries to handle players' minutes and compete both at home and abroad, but he stated the key nucleus of players stays the same for key fixtures.

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

"If you look at the five changes that we made relative 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 tonight are the ones playing almost all the games."

What Next for These Clubs?

Chelsea's next Champions League game sees them welcome the Cypriot side on Wednesday, 21 January (8pm GMT).

Atalanta, meanwhile, are at home to Athletic Club at the same time.