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At a Glance

• The Chelsea forward hands Chelsea the lead in the opening period.
• Atalanta the stronger side after the break and equalise through Gianluca Scamacca.
• The Belgian attacker grabs a last-gasp decisive goal for the hosts.
• The defeat means Chelsea fall to eleventh place in the group stage of the tournament.
• The leading eight teams progress automatically for the knockout phase.

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

Both sides went into this game with matching points tallies in the initial stage of this year's competition, having secured three victories, tied one, and lost to have accrued 10 points.

For extended periods there was very little to choose between them in this contest too, although Chelsea went ahead in the opening 45 minutes when the Brazilian finished the captain's delivery.

But Atalanta consistently appeared a danger going forwards, with ex- Charlton and Everton attacker Ademola Lookman problems for the backline.

James fired wide in the after the break but the home team raised the intensity and deservedly levelled when former West Ham United striker Gianluca Scamacca a cross.

Alejandro Garnacho hammered a strong effort straight at the keeper but Atalanta secured the winning goal in the closing stages when the Blues defence backed off Charles de Ketelaere, who made no mistake with a low strike.

The visitors attempted to rescue a draw late on but a excellent save by the Atalanta goalkeeper kept out Pedro.

The result means Chelsea drop out of the automatic qualification places—the positions that progress automatically for the next round—to eleventh with two league phase fixtures left to play.

The Bergamo club, in contrast, climb up to third place, three points clear of the Blues.

Chelsea Analysis - Worrying Form Persists

This was a deeply frustrating result for Chelsea as even a point was keeping them in a strong position to achieve the top-eight finish they need to bypass the uncertainty of the qualifying play-off round.

But they lacked concentration in defence with seven minutes left on the clock and their opponents took full advantage.

The Italian side are in good form at the moment so this was always going to be a tough test for the Blues, but they will be disappointed to be departing with nothing after taking the lead.

But the wider issue is that this continues Chelsea's worrying sequence of form in all competitions.

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

Excessive Rotations Turning Out to Be Costly?

Manager Enzo Enzo Maresca made five changes for this game as he continued his run of rotating players in and out of the starting 11.

The changes here came after he made the same number 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 attempts to manage players' minutes and challenge both at home and abroad, but he maintained the central contingent of players stays the same for key games.

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

"If you look at the five alterations that we made compared to Bournemouth it is different but it is the eight or nine players who played Barcelona.

"The ones who played tonight are the individuals who feature in almost all the games."

What's Next for These Teams?

The Blues' next European fixture sees them welcome the Cypriot side on Wednesday, 21 January (20:00 GMT).

Atalanta, meanwhile, are at home to Athletic Club at the identical kick-off time.