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Key Moments

• Joao Pedro gives Chelsea the lead in the first half.
• Atalanta the better side after the interval and equalise through Gianluca Scamacca.
• The Belgian attacker scores a last-gasp winner for the hosts.
• Loss means Chelsea drop to 11th in the group stage of the Champions League.
• The top eight qualify automatically for the knockouts.

Chelsea's chances of securing a place automatically for the European Cup knockout stages were dealt a blow as Atalanta overturned a deficit to win in Bergamo.

Each club entered this fixture with identical points tallies in the league phase of this season's competition, having secured three victories, drawn, and lost to sit on 10 points.

For much of the game there was not much to choose between them in this contest too, even though Chelsea got their noses in front in the opening 45 minutes when the Brazilian converted Reece James' delivery.

But Atalanta remained a threat going forwards, with ex- Charlton and Everton attacker Ademola Lookman issues for the backline.

Reece James fired wide in the second half but the home team increased the pressure and deservedly levelled when former West Ham United striker headed in a cross.

Alejandro Garnacho hammered a powerful shot straight at the keeper but they secured the decisive strike late on when the Blues defenders backed off the midfielder, who made no mistake with a low shot.

The visitors attempted to salvage a draw late on but a superb save by the Atalanta goalkeeper kept out Pedro.

The final score means Chelsea fall out of the top eight—the spots that progress automatically for the knockouts—to 11th with two league phase games left to play.

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

Blues Breakdown - Concerning Form Persists

This was a deeply frustrating result for Chelsea as even a point was leaving them well placed to achieve the top-eight finish they need to avoid the uncertainty of the qualifying play-off round.

But they lacked concentration in defence with seven minutes remaining and Atalanta seized the moment.

The Italians are in fine fettle at the moment so this was always going to be a tough test for the Blues, but they will be annoyed to be leaving with nothing after securing the early advantage.

But the bigger picture is that this continues Chelsea's worrying streak of results in all tournaments.

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

Excessive Changes Turning Out to Be Costly?

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca made five changes for this match as he continued his policy of rotating players in and out of the starting lineup.

The changes here followed after he made the same number for the loss to Leeds and six for the draw with Bournemouth prior to the trip to Atalanta.

The coach will see squad rotation as essential as he tries to handle players' fitness and challenge both at home and abroad, but he insisted the central contingent of players stays the unchanged for key fixtures.

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

"If you look at the five alterations that we did relative to the previous game it is a change but it involves the eight or nine players playing in that match.

"The ones who played this evening are the ones playing almost all the matches."

Up Next for These Clubs?

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

Atalanta, meanwhile, host Athletic Club at the identical kick-off time.