Chelsea vs Atalanta brought another theatrical final outcome of this round of the league phase of the Champions League, with the blues losing their hopes to have an automatic qualification after the Atalanta secured a very important win in the second half in Bergamo. Both teams also had the same records in three wins, one draw, one defeat each and the game had the touches of a head on collision as a way to control the top eight. And throughout other periods the match was true to its name the competition was hard and the stakes were even until Chelsea lost their grip in the dying stages.

The guests started fairly well and needed to make the first attempt when Joao Pedro scored a precise pass by Reece James and brought Chelsea to the forefront in a match with few open opportunities. The Blues seemed to be organised even composed as the threat of the attacking of Atalanta simmered awhile. Ademola Lookman, especially, consistently arrested the defence of Chelsea by his good running and quick shift about. Nevertheless, the goal appeared to provide Chelsea with calmness and they dictated periods of the first half with orderly structure and gains speed.

The second half saw a reversal of the momentum. To start with, Chelsea had chances to increase their lead two times more, and Reece James blasted out wide when he had an excellent chance to put the ball into the net. Atalanta replied vigorously and pushed upwards and played the ball with more hurry. Their urging then eventually yielded fruit as Scamacca, the former striker of West Ham, gave them a smart header to make the score equal, chastising the lack of smartness by Chelsea in closing the cross. This gave the equaliser a boost to the home crowd and a decisive lead to the Italians.

Chelsea did, however, make an effort at pushing back. Alejandro Garnacho knocked on a hard shot that was directly towards the keeper. And as the Blues attempted to draw the game a second time round the signs of fatigue and indecision were apparent in their defence. These did open in the 83rd minute when the back line of the Chelsea team retreated behind the back of Charles de Ketelaere and he saw an opportunity to make a low, hard finish that not only shocked the visitors but also turned the match upside down.

At last, Chelsea pushed the bodies forward in search of an equaliser and Joao Pedro was left almost an inch away scoring a point, but was denied a goal by a grand save made by Marco Carnesecchi. That appeared to be the game in a nutshell since Chelsea had opportunities, but Atalanta were even quicker, hungrier and more decisive in critical situations. Now, Chelsea is at 11 th, out of the automatic qualification table, and only two games through the league phase stand. Atalanta, in the meantime, go up to the third place and are three points ahead of Chelsea.

What is more across the board about Chelsea is that this loss is the continuation of a worrying habit. They do not win any of their last four matches in competitions since they impressively defeated Barcelona 3-0 in the end of November. The heavy rotation by Manager Enzo Maresca could also be a cause of the inconsistency. He was also making five changes against Atalanta just like the modifications that preceded the Leeds defeat and the Bournemouth draw. Although Maresca maintains that eight or nine stapled starters always stick together in large markers, the continual rotation has broken the pace and unity particularly at the back.

Chelsea now has to fight back fast. Their subsequent Chandler league match, which is a home match against Pafos, on 21 January is critical. Atalanta, in its turn will have the Athletic Club playing on the same day with the rapidly shifting momentum. As it stands Chelsea vs Atalanta could turn out the ruin of the situation as the Blues is heading into the uncertainty of the knockout play-off round unless they can act immediately and decisively.

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