Simeone stung by Atletico's impotence

MADRID - Diego Simeone defended Atletico Madrid's cagey style as another profligate performance left his side on the brink of an early Champions League exit after Tuesday's 1-1 home draw with 10-man Qarabag.

Back-to-back draws against the Azerbaijani champion, making its debut in the competition, mean Simeone's side has to beat Roma at home and Chelsea away in its final two games and hope Qarabag performs more miracles to progress to the last 16.

Atletico's major problem in recent months has been finding the net, with one statistic highlighting its lack of cutting edge - the most attempts on goal (32) of any side in the Champions League this season for the reward of a solitary goal.