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Key Moments

• The Chelsea forward gives Chelsea the advantage in the first half.
• Atalanta the stronger side after the interval and draw level through the striker.
• Charles de Ketelaere nets a last-gasp decisive goal for the home side.
• Loss means Chelsea drop to 11th in the league phase of the tournament.
• The leading eight teams progress automatically for the knockout phase.

The London club's chances of qualifying automatically for the Champions League knockout stages were hit hard as their Italian opponents came from behind to claim victory in their home stadium.

Each club went into this game with identical records in the league phase of this season's competition, having secured three victories, tied one, and lost to be on 10 points.

For much of the game there was not much to choose between them in this encounter too, even though Chelsea took the lead in the opening 45 minutes when Joao Pedro finished Reece James' delivery.

But Atalanta always looked a threat going on the attack, with ex- Charlton and Everton attacker creating issues for the backline.

Reece James fired wide in the after the break but Atalanta upped the pressure and deservedly equalised when ex-West Ham striker headed in a cross.

The winger hammered a strong effort straight at the keeper but they secured the winning goal late on when the Chelsea defenders retreated from Charles de Ketelaere, who took full advantage with a low finish.

The visitors attempted to salvage a draw late on but a superb save by Marco Carnesecchi denied Joao Pedro.

The outcome means Chelsea slip out of the automatic qualification places—the positions that qualify automatically for the knockouts—to 11th with two group stage games remaining.

Atalanta, meanwhile, jump up to third, three points clear of the Londoners.

Blues Breakdown - Worrying Sequence Continues

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

But they lacked concentration in defence with seven minutes remaining and their opponents took full advantage.

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

But the wider issue is that this perpetuates Chelsea's troubling streak of form in all competitions.

Since beating the Spanish giants 3-0 at the end of November they are now winless in their last four matches.

Too Many Rotations Proving Expensive?

Manager Enzo Maresca enacted five rotations for this match as he continued his policy of moving players in and out of the starting 11.

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

The coach will view squad rotation as vital as he tries to handle players' fitness and challenge both at home and in Europe, but he maintained the central contingent of players stays the unchanged for important fixtures.

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

"If you see the five alterations that we made relative to Bournemouth it is different but it is the eight or nine players who played in that match.

"The ones who took to the field tonight are the ones playing almost all the matches."

Up Next for These Clubs?

The Blues' next Champions League game sees them welcome Pafos on the coming Wednesday (8pm GMT).

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