Atletico Madrid has been held to a goalless draw by Azerbaijani champions Qarabag FK in Wednesday night’s Champions League clash in Baku.
The result has left Atletico on two points in Group C, and the Madrid club now face a serious battle to make the knockout round of the competition.
A bright start to the match from Qarabag saw Dino Ndlovu cause Atletico’s back four problems with his pace and movement, and the visitors struggled to settle inside the atmospheric stadium.
Qarabag’s first half-chance of the night came in the 11th minute when Mahir Madatov found Richard Almeida inside the Atletico box, but the number 20’s effort was blocked behind.
Atletico, on the other hand, were really struggling in the final third of the field, with Antoine Griezmann, Kevin Gameiro and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco finding it difficult to influence proceedings in Baku.
Nico Gaitan had a half-chance in the 25th minute after being found by Filipe Luis inside the Qarabag box, but the Argentine’s effort landed in the stands as the Group C clash remained goalless.
Qarabag were reduced to 10 men in the 75th minute when Ndlovu picked up a second yellow card for a perceived dive inside the Atletico box, which handed a big advantage to the visitors ahead of the final stages.
Torres headed just wide of the Qarabag post five minutes from time as Atletico passed up a massive chance, before Tarik Elyounoussi came close for the home side down the other end.
Qarabag actually finished the game with nine men as Badavi Huseynov was stretched off the field, but the home side held on to secure their first ever point in the group stage of the Champions League.
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