Babbel rues dropped points

Stuttgart boss Markus Babbel admitted his team missed an opportunity after only drawing their Champions League match against Romanian side Unirea Urziceni.

The Bundesliga side opened the scoring in Bucharest through Serdar Tasci after just five minutes, but were made to pay for a succession of missed chances when Dacian Varga made it 1-1.

The draw left Stuttgart with just two points from their opening two Group G games, although they still lie second in the pool behind Sevilla.

Speaking after last night’s match, Babbel told the club’s official website: “We have lost two points.

“We gave away the goal too easily, then we were punished clinically.

“Unfortunately one chance or another were not taken. In the first half we were too passive and after taking the lead allowed ourselves to fall back too deep.

“We talked about that in the break and it was better in the second half.

“We still have everything in our our hands. That is a good starting position.”

Unirea coach Dan Petrescu was pleased with his side’s point, their first in the group.

“Normally you have to win your home games in the Champions League, but we have to be happy with a point,” said the former Chelsea player.

“Stuttgart was a strong opponent. I am proud of my team, that they came back again after going behind.”

Stuttgart’s next game in the group is at home to Sevilla, while Unirea are away to Rangers.