Coaches claiming advantage

Defences were on top at the Stade Gerland as Olympique Lyonnais and AC Milan drew 0-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final, a result that left Lyon coach Gérard Houllier and his opposite number, Milan's Carlo Ancelotti, both claiming the upper hand ahead of Tuesday's return.

Gérard Houllier, Lyon coach
We showed too much respect to Milan in the first 20 minutes, so much so that I didn't recognise my players during that period. I think they just froze. In the second half we showed more intensity and 0-0 is a logical result and an interesting one in terms of qualification. A quarter-final is like two 100m sprints and we have just won the first one. If we win another one next Tuesday, we will be through. I know we can score in Milan and play much better than we did tonight. Anything could still happen in this tie.

Carlo Ancelotti, Milan coach
We began the match very well and could have scored in the first 20 minutes but then Lyon began to play better and dominate us. Despite this, they never really posed too much danger. In the second half we played a beautiful game, in fact it was a beautiful match between two quick teams with fair play on both sides. We came to play as well as possible, that is what we did and I think that [Lyon goalkeeper Grégory] Coupet was outstanding for them. Both teams have a chance of making the semi-finals but I think we have a slight advantage.

Fred, Lyon forward
Our aim was to win the game, but the way the match went I am happy with the result and it was important we didn't concede. I think we paid Milan too much respect and in the second leg we need to be more aggressive. Juninho [Pernambucano] will be very important in Milan for us, he will help open up the play which we were unable to do this evening.