AC Milan started their Champions League campaign in disappointing fashion with a goalless draw against Anderlecht tonight.

Christian Abbitati was called into action early in the match to deny Sacha Kljestan a spectacular goal from long range.

The early pressure sparked a response from Milan and the Italian club should have been ahead when Urby Emanuelson found Luca Antonini with a perfect cross, but the defender's header was off target.

Kevin Prince-Boateng's fortunes in front of goal were no more rewarding than Antonini's, as the former Portsmouth midfielder placed two headers wide of the goal within the space of a few minutes before half-time.

Anderlecht continued to look dangerous when they ventured forward and Lucas Biglia could have put the hosts ahead early in the second half but his curling effort beat both Abbitati and the far post.

Milan's search for a winner in the finals stages of the contest was unsuccessful but Anderlecht were left thanking goalkeeper Silvio Proto after a magnificent save denied Stephan El Shaarawy.