Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti was a happy man after seeing his side secure a place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, even though his team could not continue their perfect record in Group D against Atletico Madrid.

The Blues had looked on course to make it four wins out of four when Didier Drogba struck in the 82nd and 88th minutes to cancel out Sergio Aguero's opener for Atletico. However, Chelsea would end up having to settle for a draw as the Argentinian curled home a brilliant injury-time free-kick to level the scores up at 2-2.

It was the first time Chelsea had conceded goals and dropped points in the group phase, but Ancelotti preferred to look at the positives. When asked if he was frustrated not to have won, the Italian said: "No frustration. It's not great to concede a goal in the last minute, but that can happen.

I think the result is good. We are in the next phase of the Champions League, and this is important with two matches still to take place.
Carlo Ancelotti following his Chelsea team's 2-2 draw away to Atletico Madrid

"We are in the next phase of the Champions League, and this is important with two matches still to take place. That was a difficult match because Atletico played very well and I think the result is good. They put a lot of pressure on us in first half but I think we did well - not the best but it was good."

Drogba earned the headlines on his return to European action following a three-match suspension, and Ancelotti was full of praise for his Ivorian striker. "Didier is an important player for us," said the former AC Milan coach. "We have a lot of important players, but he is doing very well and we are happy.

"He was motivated at the start of the season and has been doing very well and continues to do very well, and I hope he can play in other games like he did tonight. He is in a good moment, I'm very happy. I hope he can continue."

When asked if Drogba was currently the best forward in the world, Ancelotti replied: "I want to keep him and I don't want to change him with another striker."

Quique accentuates the positives
While Chelsea celebrate a place in the next stage of the Champions League, Atletico must turn their attentions to trying to guarantee themselves a place in the UEFA Europa League, as a top-two spot is now beyond them. However, considering their dismal start to the season, both domestically and in Europe, new Atletico coach Quique Flores was able to take plenty of plusses from the match.

"Of course it was very important (to draw), we played a good match, we didn't lose," said the 44-year-old, who took over at Atletico after Abel Resino was sacked following the first meeting with Chelsea a fortnight ago.

"We led until the 82nd minute. It wasn't a victory but it showed the way forward. The team played well, played to win, they wanted to win, but given the circumstances the result is not bad.

"The team is at a turning point, and we can take positive conclusions from the game," added Quique Flores, whose side face bitter rivals Real Madrid in La Liga this weekend.