Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what is a match of vital importance for both PSV Eindhoven and AC Milan as they face off in the first leg of their Champions League playoff.

We'll start, as ever, by looking at the hosts tonight. PSV could not have wished to come into this match in better shape. They have made a blistering start to their domestic season and even have a couple of successful European matches under their belt as well. They reached this playoff stage courtesy of a 5-0 win over Belgian side Zulte-Waregem in the last round, beating them 2-0 here at the Philips Stadium before a 3-0 win in Belgium.

In terms of domestic form, PSV are the early pace-setters in the Eredivisie, winning their opening three games to top the table. They began with a 3-2 draw over ADO Den Haag, before cruising past NEC 5-0 and, this past Saturday, Go Ahead Eagles 3-0.

The mathematicians among you will have already realised that that means PSV are five competitive games into their new season already. Their 100% record is impressive enough without the fact that they have scored 16 times in those matches - an average of over three per game - and conceded just twice.

Coach Philip Cocu will be quick to remind his players that they haven't come up against a side with the quality of AC Milan yet, however. It is all good thrashing the likes of NEC, but the real tests come when the likes of El Shaarawy and Balotelli come to town.

In terms of how they fared last season, PSV have been forced to try to qualify for this season's Champions League proper via the playoffs because they only managed a runners-up place in the Eredivisie. They finished seven points behind champions Ajax and only ousted third-placed Feyenoord on goal difference.

Goals were PSV's main weapon last season, however. I mentioned their fine scoring rate so far this season, and it is nothing new for Cocu's side. They hit 103 goals in the Eredivisie alone last season to finish by far and away the league's top scorers. Second place were Ajax, who netted 'just' 83 times.

What let PSV down last season, however, was how many goals they conceded. Their defensive record was amongst the worst in the top half and, although their goal difference saved them from finishing third, a better defence could have brought them the title. They will be tested tonight for sure, and it remains to be seen whether they can deal with such quality coming at them.

This PSV side is a young one, however, and they would have learned from the defensive frailties of last season. They will have also picked up valuable experience of European football, albeit in the Europa League rather than the Champions League. Even then, their stay was briefer than they would have liked - PSV were knocked out in the group stages.

Whilst PSV are a young, inexperienced side, Milan have always been synonymous with vast experience within their ranks. The current crop doesn't quite measure up to the likes of Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta and Cafu in that respect, but they still have some senior campaigners in their midst. Even some of the young players, such as 23-year-old Mario Balotelli, possess experience that belies their years - if not maturity.

Milan come into this match having not played a competitive game yet this season, which could be a concern to manager Massimiliano Allegri. PSV are in full flow and will be hitting the peak of their fitness right about now, but as hard as Milan may have been training in pre-season, sometimes it can take a few weeks to get back into the swing of competitive football.

They certainly have worked hard in pre-season, however. They have played nine matches, winning six and losing three. The last of these saw them hit double figures as they ran out 11-0 winners, albeit it against minnows Derthona. They hasn't all been easy games for Milan. They have faced the likes of Juventus, Manchester City, Chelsea, Sao Paulo and Valencia during their warm-up campaign, so they won't be coming into this one completely out of shape.

During the pre-season schedule they travelled to the US to take part in the illustrious International Champions Cup. They did well in the tournament, beating Valencia in the first round only to lose to Chelsea in the semi-final. The third-place playoff saw them take on LA Galaxy, and they ran out comfortable 2-0 winners to claim bronze.

Milan are, of course, one of the historical giants of European football, so they may feel slightly aggrieved at having to suffer the indignity of taking part in a qualifying round. They are here, though, because they only managed a third-place finish in Serie A last season. They ended the campaign six points behind Napoli and a whopping 15 points behind runaway champions Juventus.

They did show that they can still mix it with the biggest boys of European football last season, though. They reached the last 16 of the competition, drawing the mighty Barcelona. The Rossoneri pulled off a famous 2-0 at the San Siro, but Lionel Messi and Barca proved too good for them at the Nou Camp, winning 4-0 to go through 4-2 on aggregate.

TEAM NEWS: The team news from both sides is in, and the headline for the hosts is that Park Ji-Sung makes his second debut for the club. The midfielder had been doubtful due to a muscle strain, but has recovered in time to feature. PSV's other doubts - Zakaria Bakkali and Luciano Narsingh - do not make the starting lineup.

TEAM NEWS: As for Milan, with Robinho, Mattia de Sciglio and Giampaolo Pazzini left out of the squad due to injuries, their only doubt was Antonio Nocerino, who doesn't start. Mario Balotelli and Stephan El Shaarawy lead the line for the visitors. Full team news for both sides coming right up...

PSV STARTING XI: Zoet; Brenet, Bruma, Rekik, Willems; Wijnaldum, Schaars, Maher; Park Ji-Sung, Matavz, Depay

PSV SUBS: Tytori, Toivonen, Locadia, Arias, Jozefzoon, Hiljemark, Jorgensen

AC MILAN STARTING XI: Abbiati; Abate, Mexes, Zapata, Emanuelson; Montolivo, de Jong, Muntari; Boateng, Balotelli, El Shaarawy

AC MILAN SUBS: Nocerino, Petagna, Poli, Zaccardo, Constant, Amelia, Niang

Who are the men to look out for this evening then? Well, Milan will have to keep a close eye on 22-year-old Georginio Wijnaldum as he is in fine scoring form already this season, netting three goals in three games. PSV may well miss the presence of 17-year-old Bakkali, who has made a phenomenal start to the season, but in Park Ji-Sung they have a player with vast experience to help out what is a very young side. Park may have been with a relegated team last season, but he is still a very good player and it was shrewd business from Cocu to bring the Korean back to Philips Park.

As for Milan, Stephan El Shaarawy ended last season as the club's top scorer in both the league and overall, so he will be looking to open his account nice and early this time around. Mario Balotelli, as we all know, has the potential to be a match-winner but can also be a liability at times. Depending which version of the enigmatic striker turns up, he could be important this evening.

Behind the front three Milan have a solid midfield with bags of experience, and that could prove vital this evening. PSV - apart from Park - lack such experience in that area of the pitch and, if Milan feel like they need to take the sting out of the game, the trio in the middle will do just that while the PSV players may not in the same situation.

These two clubs both have pedigree in this competition, but there is no doubting who the most illustrious is when it comes to Europe. Milan have won the European Cup/Champions League seven times - a tally that puts them behind only Real Madrid in the all-time list of winners. PSV have also had their hands on the trophy before, beating Benfica on penalties in 1988. Incidentally, Milan were the team who took the trophy off PSV the following year with a 4-0 win over Steaua Bucharest.

Recent history hasn't been so kind to PSV, however. They have failed to reach the group stages of the Champions League since the 2008-09 season which is a long time for a club of their stature.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff in Eindhoven, which means that it is time for my match prediction! This one is a tough one to predict given the number of variables. On the one hand, PSV are at home and will be at the peak of their fitness. Add to this their recent form and you have a dangerous outfit. However, Milan have the experience and, you'd have to say, the better side in terms of pure footballing ability. Still, I don't think they will be as ready for this match as PSV so I can't see them winning it. It could very realistically be a draw, but something is telling me to plump for a PSV win, so I'll go for 2-1 to the hosts!

Milan, incidentally, have not beaten PSV in their last three meetings. They have found things especially tough in Eindhoven, losing their last two meetings with PSV there 1-0 and 3-1 respectively.

That 3-1 victory came in the second leg of the 2005 Champions League semi-final, but was not enough to see the Dutch side through. Milan had won 2-0 in the first leg so went through via an away goal - although heartbreak awaited them in the final as Liverpool pulled off the 'Miracle of Istanbul' (as if you could forget) to claims their fifth European crown.

The teams are coming out from the tunnel now, and the PSV fans are doing their best to create intimidating atmosphere. They are doing a decent enough job, and the Philips Stadium is a cauldron of noise at the moment.

The man in charge tonight is one Cuneyt Cakir, who some may remember from last season. He was the man who controversially sent off Nani in Manchester United's Champions League clash with Real Madrid, sending Fergie into a rage.

KICKOFF: Cakir will be hoping for less controversy this time around, and he blows his whistle to start this match. This will be a very interesting 90 minutes.

CLOSE! So close to a dream start for PSV! Some nice link-up play ends in a rather tame shot coming in from the edge of the box, but Maher got a touch as the ball was going through and divert it inches past the post with Abbiati beaten. Very, very close.

Very bright start from PSV. They are playing quick, incisive football and Milan are struggling to deal with them at the moment. Already you can start to see glimpses of why there is such a buzz about this young PSV side.

We're only five minutes in, but from the early exchanges it is obvious which team is five matches into their season. Milan have made a slow start, perhaps understandably, while PSV have started at a frenetic pace.

CHANCE! Just as I say that, Milan have their first chance of the evening. It is almost a gift to the visitors as Zoet races out of his goal to tackle Balotelli. The ball loops up and is headed down to El Shaarawy, who takes a touch inside the box but is quickly smothered by Zoet, who makes up for his earlier error.

SAVE! This has been a brilliant start to this match. PSV play some great football again as the ball is zipped in to Park on the edge of the box. The Korean could take a touch and go for goal himself, but instead he decides to flick it back to Wijnaldum who sees his drilled low shot saved by Abbiati. Lovely touch from Park, but perhaps he should have been more selfish there.

This is what I was talking about before the match - AC Milan are now just slowing the tempo down, using their experience to take the sting out of the match and dampen the enthusiasm of the home players and fans.

Wijnaldum isn't shy of shooting from in and around the box, and he has another go here. This time his effort is blocked and the deflection flies just past the post for another corner.

Balotelli clips a nice little ball in towards Muntari, who has plenty of space inside the box but doesn't realise it! He could take it down on his chest but goes for the spectacular bicycle kick that he hits wide.

Oh that is harsh on PSV! They have made such a good start to the match but find themselves behind! Perhaps a lack of experience is key here as Depay fails to make a vital tackle on Abate, allowing the full-back to cross the ball to an unmarked El Shaarawy, who heads in from close range. That could prove to be a vital away goal.

OFF THE BAR! That is what Balotelli is capable of when on form! The former Man City striker picks up the ball around 25 yards from goal and casually curls an effort towards the top corner. It looks destined for the net, but Zoet gets the faintest of touches on it to send it onto the bar. Great effort, and a great save too.

PSV have had the better of this match so far, but it is AC Milan who have been the most clinical from their attacks. The goal came from a defensive error and PSV almost found themselves two down a couple of minutes later when they gave Balotelli too much space on the edge of the box.

Balotelli advances into the box after a nice Milan move, but Brenet forces him out wide with some good defending. Balotelli tries to uses his strength to get back into a shooting position before throwing himself to the ground. He should have been booked for that dive.

SAVE! Abbiati is at full stretch to stop this one. Maher gets the ball 25 yards out and takes a touch before firing it towards the far corner. It is certainly going on target and needs Abbiati to make the save. It was at a nice height for the keeper, but still a good stop.

PENALTY SHOUT! PSV have a very strong penalty shout, but the ref says no. Park got the ball and moved into the box before being tripped. The Korean tried to stay on his feet but eventually lost his balance before looking up to see the refereeing waving his arms to signal no foul. The initial foul may just have been outside the box, but at the very least that should have been a free kick.

PSV are still creating half chances regularly here. A long ball is met by Mexes, but only cleared as far Matavz, who takes it down on his chest before volleying it goalwards. It is never going in, but such shots will always draw a roar of approval from the fans.

For all of their good work in attack, PSV have had some shaky moments in defence as well. They are showing naivety in rushing out to meet Milan players, leaving gaping holes for the likes of Balotelli and El Shaarawy to take advantage of.

Matavz rises to meet a header inside the box but Abbiati is out well to deny away effort from the Slovenian. Good, commanding goalkeeping.

SAVE! That is a sublime effort from Maher, who looks to have phenomenal technique. The ball came over to the midfielder, who let it fly across his body before unleashing a volley that Abbiati needed to save.

OFF THE BAR! It's PSV's turn to hit the bar! It is very good play from Maher yet again as he dropped his shoulder before drifting past two defenders and smashing his shot against the bar while off balance. Very good effort, and Maher is having a fine first half here.

YELLOW CARD! Boateng becomes the first man in the book after catching a PSV man with his trailing arm when challenging for the ball. That is quite a harsh booking.

Milan have been very slow to take any set pieces so far today as they look for every opportunity to slow the game down. We still have one and a half games to go in this tie and already some of the players are risking being booked for time wasting!

Matavz escapes down the left and looks up to see only one red shirt in the middle. His cross is slightly over-hit but he still manages to find that red shirt, occupied by Wijnaldum, who peels off his man only to produce a disappointing header.

The way this first half has gone is reflected in the attempts on goal statistic: PSV have had 14 while Milan have had just three. The Italian side have played a shrewd game so far as they invite pressure from PSV before looking to hit them on the counter attack.

There will be just the one minute of added time at the end of this first half.

YELLOW CARD! Maher enters the book right on the stroke of half time for a late tackle from behind on Balotelli. I use the term 'tackle' very loosely as there was barely anything in that one. More dramatics from the Italian.

The referee brings what has been a thrilling half of football to an end, and it has already proved to be something of a learning curve for these young PSV players. They have been exhilarating going forwards at times, but their naivety in defence has been highlighted at times by Milan.

The goal come through El Shaarawy in the 15th minute, and it was the perfect example of how the whole first half has transpired. PSV were playing some lovely football in the opening exchanges but a defensive error allowed Milan in to break the deadlock.

The mistake was made by Memphis Depay, who went to ground in a tackle that he would have been better off staying on his feet with. He didn't get enough of the ball to take it away from Abate, giving the right back all the time in the world to pick out El Shaarawy in the middle.

Milan hit the crossbar one minute later through a fine Mario Balotelli effort which could have almost ended the tie there and then. PSV have also hit the bar through Maher, who has been very impressive in the first half. He is only 20 and could well be one to watch in the future.

The way that first half has gone, anything could still happen in this match. If PSV start turning their promising attacks into clearer chances then they could go on to score two or three in the second half and could take a decent lead to the San Siro. On the flip side, if Cocu's team play in the second half as they did in the first, then Milan will continue to bide their time and capitalise on any mistakes that they may make.

The vital thing for PSV is to get the next goal. That may involve a little more defensive work to ensure that Milan don't move 2-0 up, but it could be a worthwhile sacrifice for Cocu to make. The big question is whether or not PSV know how to play defensively. Watching as a neutral, I hope not as it has been a thoroughly entertaining match so far!

As far as Milan are concerned, they will be happy enough if PSV are as gung-ho in the second half as they were in the first. Their superior experience was clear to see in that second half and they will be confident that a few more chances will fall their way if PSV continue to be so attacking. The onus is on the hosts, however, as Milan would happily take a 1-0 lead back to the San Siro.

The players are back out on the pitch now ahead of a huge 45 minutes for both sides - a place in the Champions League group stage could rely on this 45 minutes. Whichever way it goes, the number one priority for both sides will be to ensure that progress is still realistic come the second leg.

KICKOFF: AC Milan get us back underway. They will be wanting more of the same in this second half, perhaps with a little less influence from PSV's Maher.

PSV will also be hoping for more of the same, which is what makes this such an intriguing match. The hosts will continue to push on, and Milan will be content to let them do so before trying to hit them on the break.

Milan have indeed set out their stall early here. When PSV are in possession they get 10 men behind the ball but, as soon as the win it back, Balotelli, El Shaarawy and Boateng are immediately on their bikes.

CHANCE! Big chance for Milan to double their lead. Balotelli clips a lovely ball behind the defence to El Shaarawy who has easily beaten the offside trap. Zoet rushes out to meet the striker, who lifts it over him only to see it go across the face of goal and trickle wide. That was very close.

CHANCE! Another big chance for El Shaarawy, and again it is born out of defensive naivety. Willems has fallen asleep at the far post and takes no notice of the Milan striker, who is the wrong side of him. Balotelli is the creator once more as he clips a ball towards his strike partner, only for Willems to recover in time to get a toe to the ball. He saved himself right at the end, but that was poor defending from Willems.

PSV haven't quite rediscovered their free-flowing, fluid football from the first half just yet. Milan are playing more defensively when the hosts have the ball, which is not allowing them as much space as they enjoyed before the break.

Allegri looks like he will be happy enough with a 1-0 win from this one. His side are looking to get forward in decent enough numbers when they have the ball, but they aren't about to take any unnecessary risks.

Adam Maher, who was so instrumental in the first half, has not been involved yet in this second half. Milan are crowding out the middle of the park and whenever he or Park get the ball they have very little space to work with.

Oh, Abbiati won't want to see that one again! Bruma goes for goal from range and the ball bounces just in front of the Milan keeper, but he still should do a lot better. He opts to try to collect it rather than parry it, but only succeeds in spilling it straight into the path of Matavz, who is following up like any good striker should. The Slovenian stoops down to nod the ball past an embarrassed Abbiati from close range.

YELLOW CARD! Sulley Muntari enters the referee's notebook, and he can have no complaints. The midfielder slid in on Maher from behind as the PSV youngster threatened to embark on another run.

Abate is a real flyer of a full-back. He shows great desire to win two 50/50 challenges in a row before driving into the PSV half. He must run out of steam at the end because his pass inside is wayward when he had Boateng screaming for it on the other side of the pitch.

The ref is losing patience with Milan's time wasting now. He runs right across the pitch to tell Abate in no uncertain terms that this is the final warning.

Balotelli goes for a curling effort from the edge of the box, but gets it wrong this time. It was a similar position to where he hit the bar from in the first half, but this one goes tamely wide.

PSV SUB: Park Ji-Sung's second debut is over as he is replaced by Florian Jozefzoon. That is a positive change.

YELLOW CARD! Mario Balotelli gets his obligatory yellow card for a petulant shirt tug on Bruma. The defender intercepted an attempted chipped through ball before taking it past Balotelli, who pulled him back cynically.

It will come as no surprise to you that Balotelli is playing the part of pantomime villain here. The crowd are booing him whenever he gets the ball due to his tendency to go to ground too easily, and there was a dive a few moments ago which was the worst on yet. We have also seen the good side of the Italian tonight, though, when he struck the bar in the first half. He is such an enigmatic character.

Bruma's last long range strike caused Abbiati plenty of problems, but he is able to watch this one fly wide. The defender lets fly from all of 35 yards out and it is a decent strike from that range, but ends up some way wide.

CHANCE! That is a sitter for PSV! A corner goes all the way to the back post and is clipped back in to the middle. Rekik finds himself completely unmarked around six yards out, but skews his header horribly wide. If I was being kind, I would say that he didn't expect it to reach him. If I was being unkind I would say that he has a head like a 50 pence coin. That was a big, big chance.

PSV SUB: PSV's goalscorer is making way now. Matavz makes way for Jurgen Locadia, who scored with his first touch when he came on against Zulte-Waregem in the last round.

AC MILAN SUB: Milan make a change of their own as new boy Andrea Poli comes on for Nigel de Jong in the middle of the park.

CHANCE! Good chance for Balotelli, and how he would've loved to silence these fans there! He rises highest in the box to meet a corner, but can only direct his header over the bar when he should have done better. The PSV defence didn't do enough there.

Boateng is really struggling for Milan at the moment. He throws Abate a vicious glare when the full-back gives him the ball and proceeds to just knock it out of play as he limps around. He is refusing to leave the field for treatment, though, so it can't be that serious.

AC MILAN SUB: Indeed, Boateng will not be able to continue. He ambles off the field as slowly as he can before eventually being replaced by M'Baye Niang.

PSV are struggling to deal with corners at the moment, and they are lucky that Milan haven't taken full advantage so far. Mexes is the latest to be left unmarked, rising to head El Shaarawy's delivery over despite not having a red shirt within two yards of him.

Jozefzoon makes a lung-bursting run behind the defence and is found by a fine long ball through the middle. His first touch just lets him down, however, and his subsequent pass is behind its intended target.

CHANCE! That is a good chance for Milan to get a crucial second away goal, but Zoet comes to PSV's rescue! Poli played a nice one-two with Niang before controlling the ball in the box and firing an effort towards the near post. The midfielder's hopes of a dream debut goal are thwarted by the keeper, however.

CHANCE! It's another good chance for Milan from a corner, but again they waste it. This one comes straight off the training ground as the ball is played along the floor to meet the clever run of Mexes, but the defender completely misses the ball! He went for a little too much power there, I think.

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this match. Can either side find a dramatic late winner?

PSV SUB: PSV made their third and final change just before that corner, by the way, as Schaars is replaced by Oscar Hiljemark.

Niang tries his luck from a long way out but his shot balloons well over the bar. As things stand, you'd have to say that this scoreline favours Milan going into the second leg.

So that is the end of tonight's action, but we're only at half time in the tie and it is still all to play for. It was a very entertaining first leg, and a 1-1 draw is probably just about the right result overall. PSV played some great football in the first half but were caught out in defence, while the second half was a lot more even. Both sides will go into the second leg at the San Siro believing that they can progress, but it will be Milan who start the match as favourites courtesy of their away goal.

That away goal came through Stephan El Shaarawy in the 15th minute, while PSV were forced to wait until the hour mark for their equaliser, Tim Matavz capitalising on an Abbiati error.

Right, that's all we have time for tonight. Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was a thoroughly entertaining night of Champions League football. It remains finely balanced going into the second leg, which we will cover live next week! We will also have news, views and reaction from this match and the rest of tonight's Champions League playoff matches on the site soon, so stick around for that! I will leave you with Gary Peters's match report. Goodnight!