Chelsea Must Do Better After Winless Streak Extends With Atalanta Defeat

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Chelsea's recent struggles continued as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League, extending their winless streak to four games across all competitions. Despite Joao Pedro giving Chelsea an early lead, Atalanta's Charles De Ketelaere turned the match around with a goal and an assist. This loss marked Chelsea's fifth consecutive away game without a win in the Champions League, a streak not seen since February 2012.

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea's manager, expressed concern over the team's form. He noted that before this slump, Chelsea had been unbeaten in six matches. "First half, we were controlling the game," Maresca told UEFA. "After the goal we conceded first one, we lost a bit of the control of the game." The team has struggled with playing every two days and is eager to secure a win soon.

Joao Pedro became the seventh Brazilian to score for Chelsea in the Champions League. Only Arsenal has more Brazilian goalscorers in this competition among English clubs. Despite his contribution, Pedro urged his teammates to learn from their mistakes after missing an opportunity to break into the top eight. "We are disappointed because we came here to win," he told TNT Sports.

Atalanta celebrated only their second victory against English teams in eight Champions League encounters. Their previous win was against Liverpool in November 2020. Head coach Raffaele Palladino praised his team's performance at New Balance Arena, saying it was a magical evening for their fans. "I am very happy because it was a magical evening in front of our fans," he told Sky Sport Italia.

Palladino highlighted Atalanta's technical quality and pace as key factors in their victory over Chelsea. He emphasized that such performances can significantly boost self-belief but stressed the importance of maintaining consistency moving forward. "This type of performance and result can really boost your self-belief," Palladino remarked.

Looking Ahead

Chelsea's current form is concerning for Maresca, who admitted feeling worried about their recent performances. The team needs to improve quickly as they have only secured two points from their last four games. "Two points in four games is not what we expect," Maresca stated, emphasizing the need for better results.

As both teams prepare for upcoming matches, Chelsea aims to regain their winning form while Atalanta seeks to build on their success against English opposition. The focus now shifts to future fixtures as each team looks to achieve its respective goals in domestic and international competitions.