Chelsea surrender top spot after draw with Atletico

London (Reuters): Chelsea surrendered the top spot in the Champions League Group C when they drew 1-1 at home against Spain’s Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Chelsea, who had already secured their place in the knockout phase, finished second in the group behind Italy’s AS Roma, while Atletico, finalists in 2014 and 2016, will drop into the Europa League after finishing third. 

“Football is about finishing at the end of the day and it’s clear we’ve not done that in the Champions League this year and we have paid the price,” Atletico coach Diego Simeone said.

”It’s not good to be out of the Champions League but there is still a long season ahead and we will be assessed at the end of it.

“It’s not a disaster. It’s a situation that can happen.”