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Shevchenko penalty blow for Bayern
MUNICH, Germany (Reuters) -- Andriy Shevchenko converted a penalty to give AC Milan a valuable 1-1 draw in Tuesday's Champions League first leg against Bayern Munich and wreck the German side's perfect home record. Michael Ballack had given Bayern the lead with a stunning half-volley in the 23rd minute after keeper Oliver Kahn opted out having suffered an injury in the pre-match warm-up. A needless Valerien Ismael handball gave Shevchenko the chance to equalise 13 minutes after the break. Bayern had won all 15 of their previous home matches in the Bundesliga, Cup and Champions League since a move into their new stadium. Germany Under-21 keeper Michael Rensing was named to start the match in place of Kahn who was originally injured in Saturday's 1-1 Bundesliga draw with Hanover 96. Milan also finished the game without their first choice keeper, with Dida giving way to Zeljko Kalac in the 69th minute after the Brazilian's awkward fall. With an away goal, Milan, six-times European champions and last season's beaten finalists, will be favorites going into the return leg in Italy on March 8. Bayern, who won the last of their four European Cups in 2001, will kick themselves for letting Milan escape with such a positive result after controlling the match. The loss of club captain Kahn left stand-in Rensing with the daunting task of dealing with Shevchenko and Alberto Gilardino but in fact Milan failed to force a save in the first half. Dismal startBayern were hardly worrying Dida at the other end in a dismal start to the match, but with Ballack and Martin Demichelis dominating the midfield they gradually started to create problems. Ballack headed over from a swinging Hasan Salihamidzic cross 10 minutes before he made the breakthrough. The Germany captain was left in space a few metres outside the area to pick up a weak defensive header. He took one touch to control the ball, waited an age for it to come down and, still in space, arrowed his shot beyond Dida from 25 metres.  Kahn suffered a recurrence of thigh trouble in the pre-match warm-up Two minutes later, Ballack set up Roy Makaay for what should have been the second goal. Makaay was alert to the clever pass inside from his captain but the Dutchman's first-time shot was weak and Dida got down in time to save. Milan looked no better at the start of the second half but they clinched the equaliser when Serginho broke down the left and smacked a cross-shot towards the near post. Ismael seemed to be attempting a clearance with his thigh but the ball hit his hand and Belgian referee Frank De Bleeckere awarded the spot kick. Rensing was unable to keep it out but did at least salvage a point for Bayern when he pulled off a fine left-handed save from Shevchenko after the Ukraine striker had been put clear. 
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