Diego Simeone defends Chelsea's defensive tactics

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has defended Jose Mourinho's defensive tactics ahead of the sides' Champions League clash on Wednesday night.

Blues coach Mourinho has come in for criticism of late following some industrious performances, with Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers stating that Chelsea parked "two buses" as they defeated the Reds at Anfield on Sunday.

"I'm a football man and I respect different ways of setting up a team for a match," said Simeone, according to The Mirror.

"It always depends on what you believe is the best way for a specific game or a specific opponent.

"I know that to defend well is not easy, so I congratulate teams who do that well. At the same time, to attack well isn't easy, either. So you have to congratulate managers who get their sides doing that."

The semi-final clash sees the teams poised at 0-0, with Madrid requiring a score-draw or win to see them through to the final.