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Match Summary

• The Chelsea forward gives Chelsea the lead in the opening period.
• The Italian outfit the stronger side after the interval and equalise through the striker.
• The Belgian attacker scores a last-gasp decisive goal for the home side.
• The defeat means Chelsea slide to 11th in the group stage of the Champions League.
• The leading eight teams progress automatically for the knockouts.

Chelsea's hopes of securing a place automatically for the European Cup knockout stages were hit hard as their Italian opponents fought back to claim victory in their home stadium.

The two teams entered this fixture with the same points tallies in the initial stage of this season's tournament, having won, tied one, and lost to be on ten points.

For large parts there was not much to separate them in this contest too, even though Chelsea got their noses in front in the opening 45 minutes when the Brazilian turned in Reece James' cross.

But The Serie A side remained a threat going forward, with former Premier League attacker creating issues for the defence.

Reece James fired wide in the second half but the home team increased the pressure and rightfully drew level when ex-West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca a centering pass.

The winger drove a powerful shot straight at the goalkeeper but they scored the winning goal in the closing stages when the Chelsea defenders retreated from the midfielder, who took full advantage with a low finish.

The visitors tried to salvage a draw in stoppage time but a brilliant stop by the Atalanta goalkeeper kept out Joao Pedro.

The outcome means Chelsea fall out of the top eight—the positions that progress automatically for the knockouts—to eleventh with two league phase games remaining.

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

Chelsea Analysis - Concerning Run Persists

This was a hugely frustrating outcome for Chelsea as even a point was keeping them in a strong position to achieve the top eight position they require to bypass the lottery of the qualifying play-off round.

But they lost focus in their defensive duties with seven minutes remaining and Atalanta took full advantage.

The Italians are in good form at the moment so this was always going to be a tough test for the Blues, 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 tournaments.

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

Excessive Rotations Turning Out to Be Expensive?

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca enacted five changes for this game as he continued his policy of moving players in and out of the first team.

The rotations here came after he implemented the identical amount for the defeat to Leeds United and six for the tie with AFC Bournemouth prior to the trip to Atalanta.

Maresca will see rotation as vital as he tries to handle players' minutes and challenge both at domestically and in Europe, but he stated the core group of players remains the same for key games.

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

"If you look at the five changes that we did compared to the previous game it may be different but it involves the same eight or nine players who played Barcelona.

"The ones who took to the field this evening are the individuals who feature in almost all the games."

Up Next for These Clubs?

Chelsea's next European fixture sees them host the Cypriot side on the coming Wednesday (20:00 GMT).

Atalanta, meanwhile, host Athletic Club at the same time.