Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is disappointed with his team’s performance in their 2-1 Champions League defeat to Atalanta. 

The Blues took an early lead through Joao Pedro, but Atalanta fought back strongly after the break, scoring two goals to secure the win. Maresca believes his team should have taken advantage of their chances to extend their lead in the first half. 

“After we conceded the 1-1 goal, we lost a little bit of control of the game, and then we conceded the second one,” he said. “I think both goals, we can avoid both of them. They’re quite easy goals.”

Atalanta’s win puts them near the top of the Champions League table with 13 points, while Chelsea has 10 points. If Chelsea fails to win their remaining games against Pafos and Napoli, they may finish outside the top eight and face a two-legged playoff match.

“We need to win both games if we want to finish top eight,” Maresca emphasized. “Otherwise, we’ll try to play the playoff and go to the next round.” 

Chelsea’s next match is against Everton in the league on Saturday.