The Blues took the lead in Bergamo when Joao Pedro turned in Reece James’ low cross to score his first Champions League goal, but we were unable to maintain that lead despite edging the first half.

Atalanta levelled the scores through Gianluca Scamacca’s header and then Charles De Ketelaere gave them a lead which they refused to surrender during a tight second half.

‘After the goal we conceded we lost a little bit the control of the game,’ said Maresca. ‘The first half we scored the goal, we conceded some chances. The second half we had two good chances to score the second one, and then they scored.

‘After it went 1-1 we lost a little bit the control of the game and they got the second one. I think both goals we conceded we could have avoided. They were quite easy goals.

‘I don’t think we suffered too much until we conceded the goal. That changed the whole dynamic of the game. After the second goal we had an opportunity to score and level the game, but this is a particular moment for us and we just need to win the next game.’

Maresca also conceded the Blues will likely need to win both of our two remaining Champions League fixtures, at home against Pafos and away at Napoli, if we are to have a chance of progressing straight to the last 32 without needing to compete in the play-off round.

‘Probably with two wins and 16 points you can be in the top eight, but I’m not sure about that. Now the focus has to be the game at home and then the next one.

‘For sure, if we want to try to finish in the top eight we need to win both. Otherwise we will have to play in the play-off to go through to the next round.’

For now, though, his attention is just taken up by the upcoming Premier League meeting with Everton at Stamford Bridge, which he sees as a vital chance to get back to winning ways and put this loss behind us.

‘Now the game is finished. Now the focus has to be on Saturday’s game because now we need to win games as soon as possible.’