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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 draw level through Gianluca Scamacca.
• The Belgian attacker grabs a late decisive goal for the home side.
• The defeat means Chelsea fall to 11th in the group stage of the tournament.
• The leading eight teams progress automatically for the knockouts.

Chelsea's ambitions of qualifying automatically for the Champions League knockouts were suffered a setback as Atalanta came from behind to claim victory in their home stadium.

Each club entered this match with matching records in the initial stage of this year's tournament, having secured three victories, drawn, and suffered one defeat to sit on 10 points.

For extended periods there was not much to distinguish them in this encounter too, even though Chelsea went ahead in the opening 45 minutes when Joao Pedro converted Reece James' delivery.

But The Serie A side always looked a danger going forwards, with ex- Charlton and Everton attacker creating problems for the defence.

James fired wide in the second half but Atalanta upped the pressure and deservedly drew level when former West Ham United striker headed in a centering pass.

The winger hammered a strong effort straight at the keeper but they scored the winner late on when the Blues defenders retreated from the midfielder, who took full advantage with a powerful strike.

Chelsea tried to rescue a draw in stoppage time but a superb stop by Marco Carnesecchi kept out Pedro.

The outcome means Chelsea slip out of the top eight—the positions that progress automatically for the knockouts—to 11th with two group stage matches left to play.

The Bergamo club, meanwhile, leap up to third place, three points ahead of the Blues.

Chelsea Analysis - Worrying Form Continues

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

But they lacked concentration in their defensive duties with seven minutes remaining and their opponents capitalised completely.

The Italian side are in fine fettle at the moment so this was always going to be a tough examination for the visitors, but they will be disappointed to be leaving with nothing after securing the lead.

But the broader context is that this extends Chelsea's worrying sequence of form in all competitions.

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

Too Many Rotations Turning Out to Be Costly?

Chelsea boss Maresca made five rotations for this game as he persisted with his policy of rotating players in and out of the starting lineup.

The rotations here followed after he made the same number for the defeat to Leeds United and six for the tie with AFC Bournemouth prior to the journey to Bergamo.

Maresca will view rotation as necessary as he tries to handle players' fitness and challenge both at home and in Europe, but he insisted the central contingent of players remains the same for key games.

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

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

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

What Next for These Clubs?

The Blues' next European fixture sees them host Pafos on the coming Wednesday (8pm GMT).

Atalanta, meanwhile, are at home to Athletic Club at the identical kick-off time.