Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca admits concern after a 2-1 defeat to Atalanta extends their winless run to four matches in all competitions
BERGAMO: Enzo Maresca admitted he was “worried” by Chelsea’s slump after a 2-1 defeat to Atalanta extended their winless run to four matches.
Joao Pedro’s first Champions League goal gave Chelsea a first-half lead at the Gewiss Stadium.
The Blues lost momentum after the break, with Gianluca Scamacca equalising before Charles De Ketelaere struck a late winner.
De Ketelaere, who also provided the assist, was irrepressible and now has six goals and seven assists in his last 12 Champions League appearances.
Chelsea have failed to win since a memorable 3-0 victory over Barcelona on November 25.
Maresca’s side sit 11th in the league phase with 10 points from six games, putting their top-eight finish in jeopardy.
Their final two group matches are at home to Pafos and away to Napoli in January.
“I am always worried. Two points in four games is not what we expect and we have to do better,” Maresca said.
He stated his team lost control after conceding the equaliser and struggled with the hectic schedule.
Third-placed Atalanta boosted their last-16 hopes with wins over Club Brugge, Marseille, Eintracht Frankfurt and Chelsea this season.
Maresca made five changes from Saturday’s Premier League draw at Bournemouth, resting Cole Palmer.
Teenage star Estevao, who has three Champions League goals this season, was also left out of the squad.
Chelsea’s reshuffled defence was nearly breached inside five minutes by Ademola Lookman.
The former Everton winger remained a constant threat, forcing a last-ditch block from Josh Acheampong in the first half.
Chelsea took the lead in the 25th minute through Joao Pedro’s close-range finish from a Reece James cross.
The goal was initially disallowed for offside before a VAR check overturned the decision.
It was only Joao Pedro’s third goal in his last 16 appearances for the club.
James missed a chance to double the lead early in the second half, firing wide from the edge of the area.
Atalanta capitalised on that miss to draw level 10 minutes after the restart.
De Ketelaere’s cross found Scamacca, who timed his run perfectly to head home at the far post.
Scamacca almost scored again moments later, forcing a full-stretch save from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Maresca introduced Alejandro Garnacho in response, with the substitute forcing an immediate save.
Chelsea’s defence cracked again in the 83rd minute as De Ketelaere drove forward unchecked.
His powerful strike took a deflection off Marc Cucurella to seal a comeback victory for the Italian side. – AFP
