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Match Summary

• The Chelsea forward hands Chelsea the lead in the opening period.
• The Italian outfit the better side after the break and draw level through Gianluca Scamacca.
• The Belgian attacker nets a last-gasp decisive goal for the hosts.
• The defeat means Chelsea fall to eleventh place in the league phase of the tournament.
• The top eight progress automatically for the last 16.

The London club's chances of securing a place automatically for the Champions League knockouts were hit hard as Atalanta overturned a deficit to claim victory in their home stadium.

Each club entered this match with the same records in the league phase of this year's competition, having secured three victories, drawn, and lost to sit on 10 points.

For much of the game there was little to separate them in this encounter too, although Chelsea went ahead in the opening 45 minutes when the Brazilian converted Reece James' cross.

But The Serie A side always looked a danger going on the attack, with former Charlton and Everton attacker creating problems for the defence.

Reece James fired wide in the second half but the home team upped the intensity and rightfully levelled when ex-West Ham striker nodded home a cross.

Alejandro Garnacho drove a strong effort straight at the keeper but Atalanta secured the winner late on when the Chelsea defence retreated from the midfielder, who took full advantage with a powerful shot.

The visitors attempted to salvage a point in stoppage time but a brilliant save by Marco Carnesecchi kept out Joao Pedro.

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

Atalanta, meanwhile, climb up to third, three points ahead of the Blues.

Blues Breakdown - Concerning Run Continues

This was a extremely frustrating result for Chelsea as even a point was keeping them well placed to secure the top eight finish they require to bypass the uncertainty of the qualifying play-off round.

But they lacked concentration in their defensive duties with seven minutes left on the clock and their opponents seized the moment.

The Italians are in fine fettle at the moment so this was always going to be a tough examination for the visitors, but they will be annoyed to be departing with nothing after taking the early advantage.

But the broader context is that this extends Chelsea's worrying run 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 games.

Excessive Changes Turning Out to Be Expensive?

Manager Enzo Maresca enacted five rotations for this match as he persisted with his strategy of moving players in and out of the starting lineup.

The changes here came after he implemented the identical amount for the loss to Leeds and six for the tie with Bournemouth prior to the journey to Atalanta.

Maresca will view rotation as vital as he tries to handle players' fitness and compete both at home and abroad, but he insisted the key nucleus of players remains the same for important fixtures.

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

"If you look at the five changes that we made compared to Bournemouth it is a change but it involves the eight or nine players who played in that match.

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

What's Next for These Sides?

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

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