AC Milan and Inter Milan drew the opening leg of their Champions League semi-final 0-0 tonight leaving everything to play for when they re-convene back at their shared San Siro ground for the second leg next Tuesday.
Milan will be disappointed not to have capitalised on their domination, particularly in the second half, but having not conceded Inter an away goal they know a score draw next week will be enough to see them into the final at Old Trafford on May 28th.
Striker Alvaro Recoba failed to make the most of two good chances for Inter in the first half, but Milan enjoyed the better of the possession after the break but had only an Andriy Shevchenko shot, parried by Francesco Toldo, to show for all their neat approach play.
After the interval Milan stepped up the pace, launching a wave of attacks at the Inter defence. But Shevchenko was unable to turn the ball past Toldo at the near post after a fine run and cross from Kaladze.
Minutes later, the tenacious Gennaro Gattuso forced a fine diving save out of Toldo.
Too often - against a well-disciplined Inter back line - Milan were tempted into harmless long-range shots and Inter coach Hector Cuper will feel his decision to play with three central defenders paid off.
Champions League Semi-final, 1st leg
AC Milan 0-0 Inter Milan
English Premiership
Arsenal 6-1 Southampton
Scottish Premier
Motherwell 0-4 Celtic
Reports to follow...