Sparta Prague 0-0 AC Milan

Champions League photos

Sparta Prague held defending champions AC Milan to a goalless Champions League draw in the freezing Czech capital.

The Italian league leaders missed a host of chances from Filippo Inzaghi and Andrei Shevchenko as keeper Jaromir Blazek kept Sparta in the game.

In response, the home side were limited to a handful of speculative long-range efforts as the experienced Milan defence held firm.

Prague's Igor Gluscevic did find the net after the break but was offside.

AC Milan shaded a defence-minded first half, in which both sides lacked the killer instinct in the last third of the pitch.

Sparta defender Pavel Pergl went close early on with a stinging 25-yard effort which was well saved by Milan keeper Dida.

But it was the visitors' Inzaghi who posed most problems.

The striker's first chance came on 11 minutes when he fired straight at the Prague keeper from close range.

Inzaghi was again checked by the quick-acting Blazek after half an hour following Shevchenko's clever step-over to create the opening.

KEY MOMENTS: 11 mins: Pavel Pergl's long-range rocket well saved 18 mins: Filippo Inzaghi squanders point-blank chance 31 mins: Inzaghi denied by Sparta's Blazek 40 mins: Petr Johanna makes crucial tackle on Inzaghi 52 mins: Igor Gluscevic's goal disallowed for Prague 70 mins: Andrei Shevchenko squanders two quick chances

As the tense half wore on, neither side imposed themselves sufficiently to stamp their authority on the game.

Sparta captain Karel Poborksy tried a hopeful effort which sailed high, while at the other end defender Petr Johana pulled off a crucial last-man tackle on Inzaghi as the Italian raced goalwards.

The stalemate continued into the second period, with only Prague's Lukas Zelenka going remotely close early on.

And it was Prague who thought they had broken the deadlock when Gluscevic found the back of the net on 52 minutes, only for referee Graham Poll to rule offside.

AC Milan, though, began to step up a gear and minutes later Shevchenko was denied by an outstretched Blazek after a deft through-ball from Clarence Seedorf.

But despite AC Milan's growing superiority they were still unable to unlock the Prague defence.

Ukraine star Shevchenko was denied twice in the space of seconds, first when his goal-bound header was tipped wide by Blazek, before he fired over the bar from six yards out.

Prague still had their moments, and it was Zelenka whose late lightning bolt was well saved by Dida to set up a fascinating return leg.

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Sparta Prague: Blazek, Hubschman, Johana, Labant, Pergl, Zelenka (Sivok 90), Poborsky, Michalik, Kovac, Stajner (Glusevic 85), Gluscevic (Baranek 73).
Subs Not Used: Kouba, Poledica, Homola, Jun.

AC Milan: Dida, Maldini, Costacurta, Cafu, Pancaro, Gattuso, Seedorf, Pirlo, Kaka, Shevchenko, Inzaghi (Serginho 85).
Subs Not Used: Abbiati, Kaladze, Laursen, Redondo, Rui Costa, Ambrosini.

Booked: Gattuso, Cafu.

Attendance: 20,640.

Referee: Graham Poll (England).