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Key Moments

• The Chelsea forward gives Chelsea the lead in the opening period.
• Atalanta the better side after the interval and draw level through the striker.
• Charles de Ketelaere grabs a late decisive goal for the home side.
• The defeat means Chelsea drop to 11th in the league phase of the Champions League.
• The leading eight teams qualify automatically for the knockouts.

The London club's hopes of securing a place automatically for the European Cup knockouts were suffered a setback as their Italian opponents fought back to claim victory in their home stadium.

The two teams entered this match with matching records in the initial stage of this season's competition, having won, tied one, and lost to be on ten points.

For large parts there was little to choose between them in this encounter too, even though Chelsea went ahead in the opening 45 minutes when the Brazilian turned in the captain's cross.

But The Serie A side remained a danger going forward, with ex- Charlton and Everton attacker Ademola Lookman problems for the defence.

Reece James shot 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.

Alejandro Garnacho drove a strong effort straight at the goalkeeper but they secured the winning goal late on when the Blues defence backed off the midfielder, who took full advantage with a powerful shot.

Chelsea attempted to salvage a draw in stoppage time but a brilliant save by the Atalanta goalkeeper denied Joao Pedro.

The result means Chelsea slip out of the automatic qualification places—the spots that qualify automatically for the knockouts—to eleventh with two league phase fixtures remaining.

Atalanta, in contrast, jump up to third place, three points clear of the Blues.

Chelsea Analysis - Worrying Form Persists

This was a extremely disappointing result for Chelsea as even a point was leaving them well placed to secure the top eight position they require to bypass the uncertainty of the play-offs.

But they lost focus in their defensive duties with seven minutes left on the clock and Atalanta capitalised completely.

The Italian side are in rich vein of form at the moment so this was always going to be a difficult test for the Blues, but they will be frustrated to be leaving with nothing after taking the lead.

But the broader context is that this perpetuates Chelsea's concerning run 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.

Too Many Rotations Turning Out to Be Expensive?

Manager Enzo Enzo Maresca enacted five alterations for this game as he continued his policy of rotating players in and out of the starting lineup.

The rotations here followed after he made the identical amount for the loss to Leeds and six for the draw with AFC Bournemouth prior to the trip to Atalanta.

Maresca will view squad rotation as vital as he attempts to manage players' fitness and compete both at home and in Europe, but he insisted the key nucleus of players stays the same for important games.

"I think in this match [in] the first XI we had eight or nine players who played against Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona, and Arsenal," he said.

"If you look at the five alterations that we made compared to Bournemouth it may be a change but it involves the eight or nine players playing in that match.

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

What Next for These Clubs?

The Blues' next Champions League game sees them welcome the Cypriot side on Wednesday, 21 January (8pm GMT).

Atalanta, meanwhile, are at home to Athletic Club at the same time.