“I’m at all times frightened. Two factors in 4 video games shouldn’t be what we anticipate and we now have to do higher,” Maresca mentioned.
Enzo Maresca admitted he was “frightened” by Chelsea’s hunch after Atalanta’s 2-1 victory within the Champions League prolonged the Blues’ winless run to 4 matches on Tuesday.
Joao Pedro’s first-ever Champions League objective put Chelsea forward within the first half in Bergamo.
However the Blues misplaced their momentum after the interval and former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca grabbed the equaliser earlier than Charles De Ketelaere, who offered the help for Atalanta’s leveller, capped his influential show with the late winner.
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Chelsea discovered it inconceivable to subdue Belgium ahead De Ketelaere, who has six objectives and 7 assists in his final 12 Champions League appearances.
Since their memorable 3-0 win over Barcelona within the Champions League on November 25, Chelsea have gone 4 matches with out a victory in all competitions.
Maresca’s Eleventh-placed facet have 10 factors from six league part video games and their bid for a top-eight end — which ensures automated qualification for the final 16 — is now on a knife-edge.
Chelsea’s final two matches are in January at residence in opposition to Pafos and away to Napoli.
“I’m at all times frightened. Two factors in 4 video games shouldn’t be what we anticipate and we now have to do higher,” Maresca mentioned.
“First half we have been successful, we have been good and controlling the sport. After we conceded the primary objective, we misplaced management somewhat little bit of the sport.
“We had completely different probabilities to make it 2-0 and once we conceded 1-1 the dynamic modified somewhat bit.
“We’re enjoying each two days. For a second we seemed like we struggled a bit. Now it’s about making an attempt to win the subsequent recreation.”
Third-placed Atalanta have loved wins over Membership Brugge, Marseille, Eintracht Frankfurt and Chelsea this season as they chase a last-16 berth.
Maresca made 5 modifications from Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Bournemouth within the Premier League, with Cole Palmer rested after his return final weekend from a two-month harm absence.
There was no place for Chelsea’s rising teenage star Estevao, who has three Champions League objectives this season and starred in opposition to Barcelona.
– Torpid Chelsea –
Maresca’s reshuffled line-up almost fell behind inside 5 minutes when Ademola Lookman weaved into the realm for a cross that deflected off Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez earlier than it was hacked to security.
Lookman was a thorn in Chelsea’s facet and it took a last-ditch block from Josh Acheampong to disclaim the previous Everton winger, with the rebound curled simply over by Marten de Roon.
Chelsea made essentially the most of that escape to take the lead within the twenty fifth minute.
When Joao Pedro deftly slotted in Reece James’ cross from 4 yards, the objective was initially disallowed for offside earlier than a VAR test dominated in favour of the Chelsea ahead.
It was solely Joao Pedro’s third objective for Chelsea in his final 16 video games in all competitions.
James ought to have doubled Chelsea’s lead when he smashed simply broad from the sting of the realm early within the second half.
It was an important miss and Atalanta made James pay as they drew degree within the fifty fifth minute.
De Ketelaere’s cross to the far submit caught Chelsea’s defenders flat-footed and Scamacca made a superbly timed run to go residence from shut vary.
Scamacca virtually punished Chelsea’s sloppy marking once more moments later with a glancing header that Sanchez saved at full stretch.
Maresca responded to Chelsea’s lethargy by sending on Alejandro Garnacho, who pressured a direct save from Marco Carnesecchi.
However Chelsea have been creaking on the again and De Ketelaere snatched the winner within the 83rd minute, advancing unchecked to the sting of the realm for a strong strike that deflected in off Marc Cucurella.
