Lacklustre first-leg stalemate at San Siro

AC Milan 0

Milan controlled much of the possession throughout their 'home' leg, and had the clearer chances, of which there were few.

Inter's Uruguayan striker Alvaro Recoba had the game's best chance in the seventh minute when he was sent through by Hernan Crespo, but his shot was straight at Milan keeper

Dida. Seedorf and Rui Costa provided Shevchenko with the chance to whip in a cross-shot after 15 minutes which required Toldo to punch, somewhat unconvincingly, to the edge of the area before Inter managed to smuggle the ball clear.

The game was starting to open up and Inter hit back almost immediately when Sergio Conceicao crossed from the right but Recoba's header was easily gathered by Dida.

Milan were looking particularly dangerous down their left-hand side and only a timely intervention from the experienced Cordoba prevented Shevchenko from stabbing home at the far post after Kaladze had whipped over an inviting cross.

The game then went a bit quiet as both midfields got on top. Milan still had the better of possession but with Inzaghi continuously being caught offside, many of their moves came to nothing.

Rui Costa, a frustrating figure in the opening half for Milan, started the second period in more determined mood and lashed in two shots within the opening two minutes.

His team-mates were quick to follow his lead and they came close to taking the lead after 50 minutes.

Kaladze wriggled his way to the by-line but Shevchenko was unable to force his cross over the line, under pressure from Fabio Cannavaro, allowing Toldo to gratefully grab the ball.

Rui Costa also played a pivotal role as Milan wasted their best chance of the match after 58 minutes.

The Portuguese international played in Shevchenko but, instead of shooting, he opted to cross for Inzaghi only for the ball to strike an Inter defender.

Only a wonderful full-length save from Toldo prevented Gennaro Gattuso's shot from curling into the far corner after 64 minutes.

Cuper responded to Milan's domination by immediately bringing on former Milan midfielder Andres Guly for the ineffective Conceicao.

The Rossoneri continued to press, however, and Seedorf should have done better than shoot wide from around the penalty spot.

Inter made another change with 20 minutes to go, Recoba coming off to be replaced by young Sierra Leone striker Mohamed Kallon.

Ancelotti responded in kind by bringing off Christian Brocchi with Brazilian winger Serginho taking his place.

Serginho almost made an instant impact but, having been played in on the edge of the area by Shevchenko, he struck his shot straight into Toldo's midriff.

Ancelotti then introduced Fernando Redondo and Rivaldo for Gattuso and Shevchenko while the injured Coco came off to be replaced by Giovanni Pasquale for Inter.

Inter, under pressure for much of the half, almost snatched the win in the closing minutes but Di Biagio had a 30-yard effort saved by Dida and Crespo lobbed agonisingly wide having been put in by Guly.

AC MILAN: Dida, Costacurta, Nesta, Maldini, Kaladze, Brocchi (Serginho 73), Gattuso (Redondo 78), Seedorf, Rui Costa, Shevchenko (Rivaldo 81), Inzaghi.

INTER MILAN: Toldo, Cannavaro, Materazzi, Cordoba, Coco (Pasquale 84), Javier Zanetti, Di Biagio, Emre, Sergio Conceicao (Guglielminpietro 66), Recoba (Kallon 71), Crespo.

Referee: Valentin Ivanov (Russia).