Roma: Julio Sergio, Juan, Burdisso, Riise, Cassetti, Pizarro, De Rossi, Vucinic, Perotta, Baptista (Toni 58'), Taddei.
Milan: Abbiati, Thiago Silva, Nesta, Antonini (Abate 71'), Bonera, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Flamini (Beckham 72'), Ronaldinho, Boriello (Inzaghi 78'), Huntelaar.
AC Milan dominated but had to settle for a point against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.
In a battle of two teams who still have scudetto aspirations, the Rossoneri had numerous opportunities to break the deadlock but failed to take any of them.
The result left Milan in second place - three points behind Serie A leaders and city rivals Inter, who will take on Genoa with a chance to extend their gap at the summit to six points. Roma remained third, two points behind Milan.
A fine Milan can't get more than a 0-0 draw in Rome. Leonardo's team plays the whole match with great conviction, showing especially in the second half a great physical shape, which brings the Rossoneri to be dangerous more than once in the opposition's penalty area. With great authority and ball possession Milan once again showed they have what it takes to play a match of very high level in Manchester.
The Saturday evening match of the 27th matchday starts with an offensive Milan team designed by its coach with a trident formed by Ronaldinho, Borriello and Huntelaar. Ranieri on his part left out Toni and included Julio Baptista behind Vucinic.
After just three minutes Roma created the first chance of the evening. De Rossi fired a shot from the edge of the area which went just past Abbiati's post. After the first chances for the home side the match became more balanced, and in the Rossoneri's midfield there emerged a great, dynamic Flamini, who did well to amplify the play while Pirlo did well to block the reference points. In the 23rd minute came the first chance for Milan through Antonini who sent his shot over the crossbar.
Also the strikers tried but first Borriello in the 29th minute and then Huntelaar failed to be effective in the penalty area. The growth of the Rossoneri team was more evident in the second half. The first 15 minutes of the second half saw an attacking Milan. Borriello managed to make himself dangerous, going past Juan but his shot was stopped by the goalkeeper. At this point Ranieri modified his team by sending on Luca Toni. With his characteristics the striker kept the ball up allowing his team mates to take breathers.
Leonardo's answer didn't take long. The Brazilian sent on Beckham and Abate, reinforcing the right wing. The Englishman played two splendid assists for Huntelaar and Ronaldinho, but they both couldn't take advantage. Near the end also Roma made themselves dangerous especially when they tried to find Toni through the area.
It finished 0-0, a draw that slows down the run-up to Inter but which showed a team in great athletic shape and always very convinced of its potential. In Manchester there's still all to play for.
