Serie A

Cagliari picked up their first point of the season after holding AC Milan to a goalless draw on Sunday evening.

Massimiliano Allegri's side had lost their five previous Serie A matches but there was little evidence of that poor form as they probed for a goal against their illustrious opponents.

Milan, who had won their last three league games, appeared tired and bereft of ideas in Sardinia and missed the chance to move up to fourth in the table.

The draw leaves the Rossoneri tied for eighth position with Fiorentina while Cagliari remain rooted to the foot of the table for at least another fortnight with the international break looming.

Without a win all season, Cagliari were up against it trying to find their first three points against a Milan side fresh from their derby win over Internazionale last time out.

But the home side, backed by a partisan home crowd at the Stadio San Elia, showed no sign of nerves as they took the game to their opponents.

Joaquin Lazzari had the best chance of a tight first half after 20 minutes when he took the ball round Paolo Maldini and Christian Abbiati only to lose his balance as he shaped to shoot, meaning the ball trickled harmlessly wide.

Earlier, a Michele Fini cross flashed dangerously across the face of the Milan goal without any Rossoblu players able make telling contact.

Milan's best chance in the first 45 minutes fell to Alexandre Pato after good work by fellow Brazilian Kaka, but Cagliari goalkeeper Federico Marchetti was alert to the danger and made a good save.

There was more life in the Rossoneri early in the second half and Massimo Ambrosini's shot was deflected behind for a corner while Gennaro Gattuso fired over the crossbar just moments later.

But Cagliari remained the more dangerous side going forward and Alessandro Agostini drilled an effort wide from 15 yards a short time later.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti tried to shake things up for the final 15 minutes as he threw on Filippo Inzaghi and Andriy Shevchenko to replace Ronaldinho and Pato.

The changes appeared to have the desired effect as a new-found urgency began to show in Milan's play, and the visitors almost went ahead when Ambrosini's header from Clarence Seedorf's corner missed the post by a matter of inches.

But the final chance of the match went the way of the hosts, Daniele Conti spurning the chance to bag the winner in the final minute as his header flew harmlessly off target.