By DPA
Milan : Juventus took home a scoreless draw from AC Milan in a hard-fought match that kept them in second place in the Italian Serie A.
Juve pressed hard in midfield Saturday and produced fast counter attacks in a first half that saw them come close when David Trezeguet shook the woodwork with a smashing shot.
The league’s top scorer in the 12th minute almost beefed up his 11-goal tally when he connected with a pass from Cristiano Zanetti and fired against the post to the left of a seemingly helpless Dida.
As Milan often struggled to feed their single striker Alberto Gilardino, Dutchman Clarence Seedorf was the first to attempt a drive that on 25 minutes rolled wide to the left of Gianluigi Buffon.
A long-range volley from Zanetti on 28 minutes found Dida ready to save before Buffon dove on his left to block a nasty Andrea Pirlo drive, and Juve’s Czech veteran Pavel Nedved stumbled as he tried to fire from inside the area.
Juve kept up their pressing after the break, immediately threatening through Hasan Salihamidzic with a fast left-footed shot that Dida managed to slap wide mildly hurting his shoulder as he landed from a prodigious dive on his right.
Milan had a great chance on 50 minutes as the likely Golden Ball winner Kaka fired from close range on Buffon with the following tap in by Gilardino being disallowed for offside.
Dida showed to have recovered from his shoulder blow on 57 minutes, safely blocking a low searing free kick by Vincenzo Iaquinta.
There was some dithering from Buffon two minutes later on a Pirlo free kick that the goalkeeper punched high before managing to grab.
The international, though, was crucial again on 70 minutes parrying a drive that the just fielded Filippo Inzaghi fired after spurting past Juve’s defence.
Holding the upper hand in the last 15 minutes was not enough for Milan to notch their first home win. They moved on 18 points level with Atalanta, Palermo and promoted Napoli, all lying seventh.
Juve, who rejoined the top flight after a season in the Serie B, kept up their good pace and now have 26 points from 14 games.
“In this game there were not that many occasions,” Buffon said. “But both I and Nelson (Dida) were ready when needed.”
In Sunday action, leaders Inter Milan look to improve their 28 points in a difficult game at Fiorentina, lying fifth on 24 points, while Roma and Udinese, both on 25 points, face off in Rome.
Inter Milan, Roma and AC Milan can improve their standing through a game in hand.