A tense match at the Stade Gerland saw neither side truly dominate but Milan were left ruing three clear-cut chances squandered by their normally reliable striker and captain Andriy Shevchenko.

While there is still all to play for in next Tuesday's second leg, Gerard Houllier's Lyon team know they will have to produce something special at the San Siro if they are to reach the semifinals for the first time.

Six-time European champions Milan, who are desperate to atone for their catastrophic defeat to Liverpool in last season's final, will feel confident of progressing into the next round.

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, particularly in the first half, but it was a shame that we couldn't have nicked a goal."

Former Liverpool boss Houllier meanwhile said his side had been too hesitant early on. "In the second half we managed to up the tempo and stopped watching Milan -- we gave them too much respect," Houllier said.

"When we started to play our own game, then we matched them," he added. "The teams are very similar, but Milan have the edge in terms of attack."

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 in the centre of the pitch.

The 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 licence 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.

With their impressive Malian international midfielder Mahamadou Diarra and Portuguese partner Tiago Mendes gradually making their presence felt against Gattuso and Seedorf, Lyon slowly came into the match.

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 free-kick 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.

Milan had less of the play in the second half but Lyon were still unable to create much to trouble Dida.

Some neat work saw both Norwegian striker John Carew and Tiago test the Milan defence with shots in quick succession but that was as good as it got.

A speculative late effort from Tiago tested Dida on 83 minutes but the Milan keeper tipped over comfortably.

A good night's work for Tiago was spoiled in the second minute of time added on when he needlessly hauled down Kaka to earn a booking that will keep him out of the second leg.