PSV Eindhoven and AC Milan have drawn 1-1 in the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie.
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The Dutch hosts almost took the lead after only one minute when Adam Maher diverted a shot from the edge of the box just wide with Christian Abbiati beaten.
The home side continued their bright start with some quick passing that left Milan struggling to get hold of the ball.
However, Milan soon made their presence felt when Stephan El Shaarawy forced Jeroen Zoet to come out and smother the ball.
Just minutes later PSV again had a decent chance. This time Park Ji-Sung flicked the ball into Georginio Wijnaldum, who saw his low effort saved by Abbiati.
Milan made them pay soon after, however. Ignazio Abate managed to cross to an unmarked El Shaarawy, who headed home from close range to give Milan the lead and a crucial away goal.
Mario Balotelli was inches away from adding to the lead when he curled a shot against the bar from 25 yards out, although Zoet managed to get a faint touch.
Chances continued to flow and Abbiati again had to be alert to stop Maher's shot.
PSV then had a penalty shout turned down after Park was tripped in the box. The former Manchester United player tried to keep his balance, but the referee waved away his appeals.
Maher was again involved in another PSV attack, this time striking a volley that forced Abbiati into a good save.
He came even closer after 36 minutes, taking the ball past two Milan defenders before hitting the bar.
The equaliser for PSV came when Jeffrey Bruma went for goal from distance. The ball bounced in front of Abbiati, but the Milan keeper could only spill it to Tim Matavz, who nodded in.
Balotelli, who was booked for a shirt tug on Bruma, shot wide from the edge of the box, while Karim Rekik missed a great chance from six yards for PSV.
Balotelli was in action again soon afterwards, but his header went over the bar. Andrea Poli then missed a late chance for the away side.
Gary Peters
