EUROPEAN Cup holders Juventus and reigning league champions AC Milan missed the chance to keep the pressure on Italian first division leaders Inter Milan yesterday, fighting out a scoreless stalemate at Turin's Stadio Delle Alpi.
In a fiercely fought but open ended encounter, both sides had their chances. However, an inspired display from Milan's veteran defender Franco Baresi, playing only his second match this season, and superb goalkeeping by Juve's Angelo Peruzzi ensured it remained goalless.
Second half substitute Michele Padovano came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 60th minute with his shot from the edge of the six yard box beating Sebastiano Rossi but not the post.
Milan twice came close to stealing the points in the dying minutes when Croat Zvonimir Boban volleyed just over and Peruzzi saved bravely at tile feet of Marco Simone, brought on for a tiring Roberto Baggio in the final quarter hour.
The result, disappointing for both sides, keeps Juventus third in the table, level with Bologna on 16 points, a point adrift of Vicenza and two behind pace setters Inter, held 2-2 at home to Fiorentina on Saturday.
Milan lie a distant fifth with just 14 points from their nine matches.
