AC Milan and Juventus finish in dull stalemate with no goals

The pair of Italian football powerhouses met at San Siro both seeking to improve their chances of claiming second spot trailing far ahead leaders Inter Milan while locking in UEFA Champions League places without delay.

Considering the lack of scoring in previous clashes it stood to reason that opportunities remained scarce during the initial thirty minutes.

Adrien Rabiot attempted to seize control when Michele Di Gregorio stopped his long range shot yet Juventus thought they had scored soon after as Khephren Thuram finished Francisco Conceicaos pass only for the goal to be ruled out due to offside.

Not backing down the energetic Conceicao kept troubling the hosts along the right side and Mike Maignan blocked his attempt up close after a surging advance to the line.

The match was building tension as it approached the interval with Conceicao prompting Maignan to make yet another stop just before the whistle for half time.

The Portuguese player persisted in bothering Milan post interval drawing another intervention from Maignan then a quick counter from the home team nearly broke the deadlock. Rafael Leao laid off for Alexis Saelemaekers inside the area and the Belgians strike hit the crossbar.

Momentum was shifting back and forth now with Juventus penalty shouts ignored after Jonathan David fell in the penalty area following contact with Matteo Gabbia.

Milan suffered a setback late on as Luka Modric had to leave the pitch after clashing in the air with Manuel Locatelli thus removing a key playmaker for the last ten minutes. In reality neither team showed the required sharpness to find that vital first goal.

The outcome leaves the standings unchanged with Milan holding third and Juventus fourth. This point suits Massimiliano Allegris team more as it extends their lead over fifth placed Como to six points via this tie.