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Inter Milan and Manchester United draw 0-0
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-02-25 14:52


Inter Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic jumps for the ball, as Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand (L) and Ibrahimovic's teammate Julio Cruz (R) looks on, during their Champions League soccer match at San Siro stadium in Milan February 24, 2009. [Agencies] 

Having failed to adequately clear the danger, Berbatov beat Rivas Lopez to Patrice Evra's cross, but his header went narrowly wide.

In the 26th, Giggs should have given the European champions the lead. Michael Carrick took advantage of a mistake by Rivas to send Giggs clear into the Inter area, but the 35-year-old midfielder went too wide and Cesar was able to make the block.

Cesar kept the hosts in the match a minute later when he pushed Ronaldo's free kick to safety. From the resulting corner, Berbatov again headed wide, from Giggs' cross.

Inter's best chances came when the front pair of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Adriano put pressure on United central defenders Rio Ferdinand and Johnny Evans.

With Evans and John O'Shea only cleared to play earlier Tuesday, and with Nemanja Vidic suspended, United appeared hesitant and nervous. Inter, however, was unable to create any clear cut scoring opportunities.

In the second half, Inter came out rejuvenated and should have taken the lead in the 47th. Esteban Cambiasso sent over a cross, but Adriano hit his volley over the bar.

Five minutes later, Dejan Stankovic and Ibrahimovic combined to create on the edge of the area, but the Stankovic's powerful shot went wide.

Ronaldo and O'Shea then linked up well on the right wing. The Portugal midfielder burst into the Inter area, but his low center across the face of goal was missed by Berbatov, Park Ji-sung and Giggs.

Giggs was guilty of missing yet another opportunity in the 75th. Ronaldo led the breakout from United's defense and found the Welshman. Giggs took the ball across the penalty area, but Christian Chivu recovered to block the shot.

Mourinho reinforced his attack a moment later, bringing on Mario Balotelli and Julio Cruz for Adriano and Sulley Muntari.

Balotelli made an immediate impact by swinging a corner across the United area, but from short range Stankovic was unable to score.

Ferguson brought on Wayne Rooney for Park with 10 minutes remaining, but his efforts failed to spark his teammates, though Ronaldo gave Inter one last scare when Cesar made a mess of stopping his late free kick.

Next up for United is the League Cup final against Tottenham at Wembley on Sunday, and Ferguson said the team that starts will be much altered from the one that started at San Siro, as will the team for the return leg against Inter on March 11.

"Two weeks from now there will be a different team. There will be sevens change on Sunday from tonight," Ferguson said.

Mourinho knows from experience that not winning the home leg doesn't signify the end of Inter's hopes.

"It's true, we know that 0-0 is the best result after winning," Mourinho said. "I've drawn before in the home leg. For example, when I won the Champions League (with FC Porto in 2004), we drew 0-0 at home and beat Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 away."