AC Milan have held Barcelona to a goalless draw in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final clash at the San Siro.
In a frantic opening half, Milan could have been ahead inside the opening two minutes when Robinho was first to Kevin-Prince Boateng's saved effort. However, the Brazilian somehow ballooned his volley over from six yards.
Barca felt aggrieved after 15 minutes when they thought that Alexis Sanchez had been brought down by goalkeeper Christian Abbiati. Despite the official behind the goal not giving the decision, replays suggested that the Spaniards should have been awarded a spot kick.
As both sides attacked freely, Zlatan Ibrahimovic saw his low effort saved by Victor Valdes, while Xavis Hernandez's poke forced Abbiati into a low save at the other end.
Sanchez was through on goal again towards the end of the half, but Luca Antonini's last-ditch tackle averted the danger.
Despite an entertaining first half, both sides created fewer chances after the break.
Barcelona dominated for large periods as Lionel Messi put his free kick over before substitute Cristian Tello could only find the sidenetting with his effort.
The visitors nearly snatched the win at the end, but Abbiati did well to keep out Messi's low shot before Antonini threw himself heroically at the ball to deny Tello the rebound.
Jack Prescott
