A draw was probably the right result, but there is little doubt that Marseille had the chances to win their crucial Champions League group C showdown at the San Siro. 

Twice off the woodwork

Only Brandão knows how he managed to hit the crossbar from point-blank range with the goal gaping while Souleymane Diawara was unlucky to see his late header hit an upright. 

OM coach Didier Deschamps accepted his side performed well but could not hide his disappointment as he saw his side's hopes of continuing in the competition into the New Year dealt a massive blow. "It's not a good result as we really needed the victory. We have taken just one point from the two games against Milan and that might cost us in the end." 

No regrets 

Marseille must now beat Real Madrid by at least three goals or by a lesser margin if Milan slip up in Zurich. Deschamps refuses to concede defeat, but is realistic. "The dream remains alive. Logic suggests that Milan will win in Zurich, but the most important thing is to make sure we have no regrets, and that means we need to make sure we win our last match." 

Brandão not to blame 

An equally disappointed Souleymane Diawara refused to blame Brandão for his glaring second-half miss. "We can't hold it against him. Putting the ball in the net is the hardest thing to do in football, but he might score against Real Madrid. No matter what, it's a team game and we're not going to point the finger at him." 

>> Match Report: AC Milan 1-1 Olympique de Marseille