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Key Moments

• Joao Pedro gives Chelsea the lead in the opening period.
• The Italian outfit the stronger side after the break and draw level through the striker.
• The Belgian attacker grabs a last-gasp decisive goal for the hosts.
• The defeat means Chelsea slide to 11th in the group stage of the tournament.
• The top eight progress automatically for the knockouts.

The London club's ambitions of securing a place automatically for the European Cup knockouts were hit hard as their Italian opponents came from behind to win in Bergamo.

The two teams entered this match with matching records in the league phase of this year's competition, having won, tied one, and lost to have accrued ten points.

For extended periods there was little to separate them in this encounter too, although Chelsea took the lead in the opening 45 minutes when the Brazilian converted Reece James' cross.

But Atalanta always looked a threat going forward, with former Premier League attacker creating issues for the defence.

Reece James shot wide in the after the break but the home team upped the pressure and deservedly levelled when former West Ham United striker nodded home a cross.

Alejandro Garnacho drove a strong effort straight at the goalkeeper but Atalanta got the winner in the closing stages when the Blues defence backed off Charles de Ketelaere, who seized the opportunity with a low shot.

Chelsea attempted to salvage a draw in stoppage time but a brilliant save by Marco Carnesecchi denied Joao Pedro.

The result means Chelsea fall out of the top eight—the spots that progress automatically for the knockouts—to eleventh with two group stage fixtures remaining.

Atalanta, in contrast, jump up to third, three points ahead of the Londoners.

Blues Breakdown - Worrying Form Continues

This was a hugely disappointing outcome for Chelsea as even a draw was leaving them well placed to secure the top eight finish they require to bypass the uncertainty of the play-offs.

But they lacked concentration in defence with seven minutes left on the clock and Atalanta seized the moment.

The Italian side are in fine fettle at the moment so this was always going to be a difficult test for the visitors, but they will be annoyed to be departing with nothing after securing the early advantage.

But the bigger picture is that this extends Chelsea's concerning sequence of form in all competitions.

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

Excessive Rotations Proving Costly?

Chelsea boss Maresca enacted five rotations for this game as he continued his run 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 tie with AFC Bournemouth prior to the journey to Bergamo.

Maresca will see rotation as essential as he tries to manage players' minutes and challenge both at domestically and abroad, but he stated the central contingent of players remains the unchanged for important fixtures.

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

"If you look at the five changes that we did relative to Bournemouth it is different but it involves the same eight or nine players playing in that match.

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

What's Next for These Teams?

Chelsea's next European game sees them host Pafos on the coming Wednesday (8pm GMT).

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