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Key Moments

• The Chelsea forward gives Chelsea the lead in the opening period.
• The Italian outfit the stronger side after the interval and draw level through the striker.
• The Belgian attacker scores a last-gasp decisive goal for the home side.
• The defeat means Chelsea drop to 11th in the group stage of the tournament.
• The leading eight teams qualify automatically for the knockout phase.

The London club's chances of qualifying automatically for the European Cup knockouts were hit hard as Atalanta came from behind to triumph in their home stadium.

Each club went into this match with the same records in the initial stage of this year's competition, having won, drawn, and lost to have accrued ten points.

For much of the game there was not much to distinguish them in this encounter too, although Chelsea got their noses in front in the first half when Joao Pedro converted Reece James' cross.

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

Reece James shot wide in the second half but Atalanta increased the pressure and justly equalised when former West Ham United striker nodded home a cross.

Alejandro Garnacho drove a powerful shot straight at the keeper but they got the winning goal in the closing stages when the Blues defence retreated from Charles de Ketelaere, who seized the opportunity with a driven shot.

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

The final score means Chelsea fall out of the automatic qualification places—the positions that progress automatically for the knockouts—to eleventh with two group stage fixtures left to play.

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

Chelsea Analysis - Concerning Form Continues

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

But they lost focus in defence with seven minutes remaining and their opponents took full advantage.

The Italians are in good form at the moment so this was always going to be a difficult examination for the visitors, but they will be frustrated to be departing with no points after taking the early advantage.

But the bigger picture is that this extends Chelsea's concerning run of form in all competitions.

Since beating Barcelona 3-0 at the end of November they are now winless in their last four games.

Too Many Rotations Turning Out to Be Expensive?

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca enacted five changes for this game as he continued his run of moving players in and out of the starting lineup.

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

Maresca will see rotation as necessary as he tries to handle players' fitness and compete both at domestically and abroad, but he insisted the central contingent of players remains the unchanged for crucial games.

"I believe tonight [in] the starting lineup we had eight or nine players who featured against Tottenham, FC Barcelona, and the Gunners," he commented.

"If you look at the five changes that we made relative to Bournemouth it may be different but it is the eight or nine players playing Barcelona.

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

What Next for These Clubs?

The Blues' next Champions League game sees them host Pafos on Wednesday, 21 January (20:00 GMT).

The Italian team, meanwhile, are at home to Athletic Club at the same time.