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Shevchenko squanders Milan chances
LYON, France -- Lyon drew 0-0 at home against six-time European champions AC Milan in their Champions League quarterfinal first-leg match at Stade Gerland Wednesday. Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko wasted three scoring chances and Lyon goalkeeper Gregory Coupet made several key saves. The return leg will be next Tuesday at Milan's San Siro stadium, where Lyon will welcome back influential playmaker Juninho from suspension. But Portugal midfielder Tiago will miss the second leg trip, receiving a yellow card in the final seconds. Lyon attacked strongly in the second half, but was thwarted by a Milan defense led by Alessandro Nesta and Kakha Kaladze. With time running out, Tiago shot from 25 meters and Milan goalkeeper Dida had to be alert to tip it over the bar. Lyon has never reached the European Cup semifinals, while Milan last won the trophy in 2003 and was runner-up to Liverpool last year. Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti warned that the tie was far from over however. "0-0 is a very dangerous result," Ancelotti said."Now we play for qualification at home, but we will need our fans to get right behind us at the San Siro. Lyon are a very strong side - organised and always looking to attack. "We had our chances, particulary in the first half, but it was a shame that we couldn't have nicked a goal." All Milan's best opportunities to grab a precious away goal came in the opening 45 minutes, when their central midfielders Gennaro Gattuso and Clarence Seedorf ruled the roost. Saved with his legsThe visitors did not have to wait long for their first chance. Shevchenko was played into space by Gattuso but was unable to connect cleanly with his shot, allowing Lyon keeper Gregory Coupet to save with his legs. Milan's early dominance meant that attacking midfielder Kaka had license to roam, and the talented Brazilian regularly caused problems for Lyon on both flanks as well as the central channel. Kaka had a hand in the second of three first-half chances that fell to Shevchenko, brilliantly flicking fullback Serginho back across goal to set up the Ukrainian hit-man invitingly on 13 minutes. But with the goal begging, Shevchenko was again thwarted by the legs of Coupet, the French international blocking well despite diving the wrong way. Genuine chances for the home side remained few and far between however, and Milan keeper Dida was only given one real test in the first half. A wicked freekick from wide on the left missed a clutch of Lyon and Milan players in the six-yard area and was heading for Dida's far post until the Brazilian palmed it wide for a corner at full stretch. On the stroke of half-time Shevchenko was presented with his third chance. A clever header took the Milan striker past Cris, but with the whole goal to aim at Shevchenko shot straight at Coupet. 
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