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Key Moments

• The Chelsea forward gives Chelsea the lead in the opening period.
• Atalanta the better side after the break and equalise through the striker.
• The Belgian attacker nets a late decisive goal for the home side.
• The defeat means Chelsea drop to eleventh place in the league phase of the tournament.
• The leading eight teams qualify automatically for the last 16.

Chelsea's ambitions of securing a place automatically for the European Cup knockout stages were hit hard as their Italian opponents overturned a deficit to claim victory in Bergamo.

Both sides entered this match with matching points tallies in the initial stage of this year's competition, having won, tied one, and lost to be on 10 points.

For extended periods there was not much to separate them in this encounter too, even though Chelsea went ahead in the first half when Joao Pedro converted Reece James' delivery.

But The Serie A side consistently appeared a danger going forwards, with ex- Charlton and Everton attacker Ademola Lookman issues for the defence.

Reece James shot wide in the second half but the home team raised the pressure and deservedly equalised when former West Ham United striker Gianluca Scamacca a centering pass.

Alejandro Garnacho hammered a powerful shot straight at the keeper but they got the winner in the closing stages when the Chelsea defenders retreated from the midfielder, who took full advantage with a powerful shot.

Chelsea tried to salvage a draw in stoppage time but a excellent stop by Marco Carnesecchi denied Joao Pedro.

The result means Chelsea drop out of the automatic qualification places—the positions that progress automatically for the knockouts—to 11th with two league phase games left to play.

Atalanta, meanwhile, leap up to third, three points ahead of the Londoners.

Chelsea Analysis - Worrying Run Persists

This was a deeply frustrating result for Chelsea as even a point was leaving them in a strong position to secure the top eight finish they need to bypass the uncertainty of the play-offs.

But they lost focus in their defensive duties with seven minutes left on the clock and Atalanta seized the moment.

The Italians are in good form at the moment so this was always going to be a challenging examination for the Blues, but they will be frustrated to be leaving with nothing after taking the early advantage.

But the broader context is that this extends Chelsea's worrying sequence of results 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 games.

Excessive Rotations Turning Out to Be Costly?

Chelsea boss Maresca made five changes for this match as he persisted with his policy of moving players in and out of the starting 11.

The rotations here came after he implemented the identical amount for the defeat to Leeds and six for the tie with Bournemouth prior to the journey to Bergamo.

Maresca will view rotation as essential as he tries to handle players' fitness and compete both at home and abroad, but he stated the central contingent of players remains the same for key fixtures.

"I think tonight [in] the starting lineup we had eight or nine players who played against Tottenham Hotspur, FC Barcelona, and Arsenal," he said.

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

"The ones who took to the field this evening are the individuals who feature in almost all the matches."

What Next for These Clubs?

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

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