Koeman confident despite draw

By Theo Ruizenaar

AFC Ajax coach Ronald Koeman admitted he was a little disappointed that his side had only managed a 0-0 draw at home to AC Milan in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg but insisted that his young team were still in contention for a place in the semi-final.

'We created nothing'
Koeman saw his side control the majority of the game, but struggle to break down a well-organised Milan defence. "We were aiming to score in this match, but despite our good performance we hardly created any chances," he said "The first 20 minutes were tough, but when we regained control we never let Milan back in the match."

Fine defending
The Ajax coach said that what pleased him most was the way his side stifled an attacking Milan formation, allowing Filippo Inzaghi, Andriy Shevchenko and Rui Costa few sights of Bogdan Lobont's goal. "Milan played exactly like we expected," said Koeman. "They hardly got any chances and that was something we achieved. We simply didn't gave them the chance to be dangerous"

Yakubu inspired
Koeman surprisingly replaced suspended striker Andy van der Meyde with Abubakari Yakubu, whom he deployed in a defensive midfield role, but the young Ghanaian's performance thoroughly vindicated the selection. "Tonight, Yakubu proved that he really adds something to my team," said Koeman. "Besides his power, he also showed that he can really play football."

Scoring streak
Ajax have been impressive away from home throughout their Champions League campaign and have only failed to score at one ground - the San Siro, where they lost 1-0 to Internazionale FC in September. Hence Koeman's confidence that his side could find the net in Italy. "We have proved so far in the Champions League that we can score away from home, so Milan have to be aware of that," he said.

'Positive result'
Koeman's opposite number, Carlo Ancelotti, was disappointed that his side had been unable to manufacture clear goalscoring opportunities. "This draw is a positive result for us, but despite our well-organised defence I think we didn't play aggressively enough," he said. "We allowed Ajax to control the match."

'Our attacking was weak'
Milan's best chance arrived after just five minutes, when Shevchenko's shot was blocked by Lobont. Thereafter, they struggled to find a way through a disciplined Ajax rearguard, and Ancelotti said he was pleased with the way his side had defended, but admitted they needed to create more in the return leg. "Defensively we played well, but our attack was our weak point tonight We hardly created anything and that has to change for the match in Milan."

Significant suspension
The Milan coach, who will be without midfield player Gennaro Gattuso through suspension for the second leg after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the competition, recognised that his side were by no means certain of securing a semi-final spot. Ancelotti said: "Both sides still have a good chance to go on, but we have proved this season that we play good football at home." The second leg will be played on Wednesday 23 April.