Chelsea had the best of their first ever match in the European Cup, against AC Milan, but could not break down a tough Italian rearguard as it ended honours even. This result means that each of Englands Champions League sides could not find the net in their opening fixtures.

History had suggested that this fixture would be tight. Nothing could separate the teams over three games in the Fairs Cup in 1966, the tie eventually being decided by the toss of a coin.

Chances were always going to be at a premium in a match between Chelsea, six clean sheets in seven, and a Milan team anchored by Paolo Maldini.

It may be Chelseas debut in the European Cup, but they fielded a team full of European experience. Deschamps and Desailly have both won the competition, the latter with opponents AC Milan. In addition to that, five other players - - Ferrer, Babayaro, Le Saux, Sutton and Hogh - have all played in Champions League competition with previous clubs.

Dan Petrescu had the best chance ten minutes into the match, ambling through the Milan defence, but keeper Christian Abbiati saved well. Chelsea needed to test the inexperienced Milan goalkeeper more than they did. The 22-year-old was third choice for Milan, yet he has played in all Milans matches so far this season, relegating veteran Sebastiano Rossi to the bench.

Milan boast a 23.5m forward line, featuring Andriy Shevchencko and Oliver Bierhoff two players as deadly as they are costly. The Ukrainian needed just a sniff of a chance to get a shot on target, running between Desailly and Babayaro in the left channel, but Ed de Goey saved well at his near post.

The Londoners, if you can call Viallis cosmopolitan collection Londoners, were on top for the first half, pivoting around their wizard Gianfranco Zola. Every touch mesmerised his Italian opponents, yet for all his trickery, chances were rare.

Tore-Andre Flo was working hard up front for Chelsea, and it looked promising as he cut inside Roberto Ayala, but his weak shot was easy for the keeper.

As Milans thirty-something defenders began to tire in the second half, Chelsea upped the pressure and had chances to break the deadlock. A one-two between Zola and Deschamps set the little Italian through, but his shot slid past Abbiati and rebounded back to the grateful stopper off the inside of the post.

He had another great chance two minutes later. Ghosting onto a Flo pass, he tried to place the ball into the corner, but again Abbiati got there to push the ball wide.

This stung Milan into action. The champions of arguably the strongest league in the world also hit the woodwork as Brazilians curling, swirling shot smacked Ed de Goeys crossbar.

The adventurous 3-4-3 formation chosen by Milan boss left space for the Blues to exploit in an increasingly second period. Dennis Wise found space in the middle to meet a Chris Sutton cross, but his diving header was too close to the keeper.

They may have had the better chances, but against a team as strong as Milan, Chelsea boss Gianluca Vialli will surely see this as a point won, rather than two lost. They can now move on to face next week Hertha Berlin next week full of confidence.