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Key Moments

• The Chelsea forward gives Chelsea the lead in the opening period.
• The Italian outfit the better side after the interval and equalise through Gianluca Scamacca.
• Charles de Ketelaere nets a last-gasp winner for the home side.
• The defeat means Chelsea slide to 11th in the league phase of the Champions League.
• The top eight qualify automatically for the knockouts.

Chelsea's chances of qualifying automatically for the Champions League knockouts were dealt a blow as Atalanta overturned a deficit to win in their home stadium.

The two teams entered this match with identical records in the initial stage of this season's tournament, having secured three victories, drawn, and suffered one defeat to have accrued 10 points.

For much of the game there was very little to distinguish them in this contest too, even though Chelsea got their noses in front in the first half when Joao Pedro converted Reece James' delivery.

But Atalanta always looked a threat going on the attack, with ex- Premier League attacker creating problems for the backline.

Reece James shot wide in the second half but Atalanta increased the intensity and deservedly drew level when former West Ham United striker Gianluca Scamacca a cross.

Alejandro Garnacho hammered a powerful shot straight at the keeper but they scored the winner late on when the Blues defence retreated from the midfielder, who took full advantage with a low shot.

Chelsea tried to salvage a draw late on but a brilliant stop by Marco Carnesecchi kept out Pedro.

The result means Chelsea drop out of the top eight—the positions that progress automatically for the next round—to 11th with two league phase games remaining.

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

Chelsea Analysis - Worrying Run Continues

This was a extremely frustrating result for Chelsea as even a draw was keeping them in a strong position to achieve the top eight position they require to avoid the lottery of the qualifying play-off round.

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

The Italian side are in rich vein of form at the moment so this was always going to be a tough test for the visitors, but they will be annoyed to be departing with nothing after taking the lead.

But the broader context is that this perpetuates Chelsea's troubling run of form in all tournaments.

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

Too Many Changes Proving Expensive?

Manager Enzo Enzo Maresca made five rotations for this game as he persisted with his strategy of moving players in and out of the first team.

The changes here followed after he made the identical amount for the loss to Leeds United and six for the tie with Bournemouth prior to the trip to Bergamo.

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

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

"If you look at the five alterations that we did relative to Bournemouth it is a change but it involves the same eight or nine players who played Barcelona.

"The players who took to the field tonight are the individuals who feature in almost all the games."

What Next for These Clubs?

The Blues' next European game sees them host the Cypriot side on Wednesday, 21 January (20:00 GMT).

The Italian team, meanwhile, host Athletic Club at the same time.