Enzo Maresca bemoans 'easy goals' as Chelsea squander lead in Atalanta defeat | OneFootball

Blues left to rue missed chances as automatic Champions League qualification hopes take a huge hit

But it is likely that Chelsea will need to win both of their remaining league-phase matches against Pafos and Napoli in January now in order to do so.

Joao Pedro had given Maresca’s side the lead away to Atalanta, but the Italians equalised through former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca and then won the game through a deflected strike by Charles De Ketelaere.

“First half, we were good and controlling the game,” Maresca reflected. “The two goals we conceded in a short time were two easy goals that we can both avoid.

“But in this moment it’s like this. We just need to, as soon as possible, try to win games again.

“We had the chances for 2-0, especially with Reece [James],” he told TNT Sports. “We were aggressive like them. When we conceded for 1-1, the dynamic of the game changed a little bit.”

Joao Pedro had a chance to equalise for Chelsea in the closing stages against Atalanta

AFP via Getty Images

Despite scoring the first Champions League goal of his career to put Chelsea into the lead midway through the first half, Joao Pedro was left disheartened by the way the Blues let the game get away from them.

“We are disappointed, because we came here to win the game,” the Brazilian said. “We scored first, but in the Champions League if you give chances to the other team, if they score it’s going to be a difficult game.

“Now we need to come back to England and be ready for the next game. I think we need to learn. We are disappointed and have to be focused on the next game.”