There were no answers to Chelsea’s search for consistency here. Instead they supplied more evidence that they lack the resilience for a Champions League tilt that may now have to be tackled the hard way. This damaging late defeat completed a grim week on the road and had implications for the longer-term picture. They are staring down the barrel of a February playoff that could stretch Enzo Maresca’s side, active almost year-round, to the very limit.

Atalanta twice punished weak defending and, crucially, preyed on their opponents’ inability to overcome setbacks. It is a problem Chelsea cannot quite shrug off and, at this level, such recidivism comes at a cost. When Charles De Ketelaere, the game’s outstanding player, blasted in a deflected winner after being invited to take aim they could hardly claim not to have been warned.

• Forward says he is ‘building confidence’ with Maresca

• Manager praises Atalanta before Champions League tie

Alejandro Garnacho has said that he has no regrets about the manner of his departure from Manchester United, and that it was a straightforward decision to “take a step forward” by ­joining Chelsea last summer.

Garnacho has had a steady, rather than sparkling, first few months since he joined Chelsea in August. His relationship with Ruben Amorim had collapsed by the end of his five‑year stint at United and he was banished from the squad in pre‑season. Amorim felt he had failed to follow tactical instructions and, before the transfer was completed, said he sensed Garnacho wanted “a different thing with different leadership”.

• Mbappé scores twice and Camavinga once in 3-0 win

• Kane scores and gives away penalty as Bayern progress

Kylian Mbappé scored twice as Real Madrid defeated Athletic Bilbao 3-0 to end a three-match winless run in La Liga.

Mbappé’s France teammate Eduardo Camavinga also scored as Real moved back within a point of Barcelona, who defeated Atlético Madrid 3-1 on Tuesday.