Italian giants AC Milan will fancy their chances of reaching the Champions League group stages after coming away with a 1-1 draw at PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday in their first leg qualifying match.
PSV, fielding a defensive quartet with the average age of just 19 1/2, dominated for long periods but fell behind to a Stephan El Shaarawy goal after 15 minutes.
However, PSV, who unlike Milan have already played three league matches this season and winning all three, grabbed a deserved equaliser through Tim Matavz on the hour.
PSV started brightly and had three chances before Milan struck as Italian international El Shaarawy headed home a cross from Ignazio Abate, following a mistake by Memphis Depay.
The visitors should have doubled their lead a minute later but Mario Balotelli's effort slid just wide of the post.
But PSV didn't wilt and came close to getting back on terms in the 37th minute but Adam Maher's shot beat Christian Abbiati before hitting the bar.
Milan relied on the counter-attack to expose PSV's young defence, but El Shaarawy missed two good opportunities in the 50th and 52nd minutes.
PSV made Milan pay for those misses as eight minutes later Abbiati failed to hold Stijn Schaars shot and Matavz reacted fastest to tap the ball into the net.
Andrea Poli wasted a great chance to give Milan a late winniner three minutes from time but PSV escaped and will travel to Milan next week still with their hopes still alive.
Source: AFP
