Milan were facing life without Europe this season over their involvement in the Serie A match-fixing scandal, only assuring their presence in the lucrative competition after taking their case to UEFA.

The six-time titleholders go into the return leg of this third round final qualifying tie with a narrow advantage after Inzaghi toasted turning 33 in the best possible way.

Red Star started brightly with midfielder Bosko Jankovic sprinting down the right to pass to Blagoy Georgiev whose shot was kept out thanks only to quick work by Brazil World Cup keeper Dida in the Milan goal in the second minute.

On 22 minutes the 50,000 fans at the San Siro had something to cheer about when Milan took the lead thanks to superb work from Alberto Gilardino.

Outfoxing the Serbian defence he laid the ball on to his Brazilian teammate Kaka whose inch-perfect pass found Inzaghi lurking by the penalty spot with 'Super Pippo's' coolly taken shot sailing past Ivan Randelovic.

After the break Randelovic earned his money by denying a Gilardino header and a shot from Clarence Seedorf.

Despite their domination Milan were unable to extend their advantage leaving Red Star still with hopes of upsetting Carlo Ancelotti's European giants in Belgrade later this month.

Ancelotti though will have been satisfied with thhe night's work given the sale to Chelsea of Andrei Shevchenko and with a defence holed by the missing Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini.