Milan held by Anderlecht in Champions League

 Milan held by Anderlecht in Champions League

ROME, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- AC Milan failed to shrug¹ off their disappointing form as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Anderlecht at home in the Champions League first round group match on Tuesday.

Milan have lost all their two home games so far this season and were desperately² hoping a European night could get their campaign going.

But the visitors turned out to be a brighter side in the first half, with Bram Nuytinck having a powerful shot charged down before a fine effort from Sacha Kljestan was parried away by Christian³ Abbiati.

Anderlecht had their best chance to take the lead early in the second half.

Lucas Biglia, who had moments earlier seen a long-range effort blocked by Daniele Bonera, got into a great position only to slice wide on the volley.

Milan responded with Emanuelson flashing a shot wide before Boateng sent yet another header wide, this time from a free-kick. Antonio Nocerino then stretched Proto with a shot across goal before Stephan El Shaarawi's header brought an excellent save from the Anderlecht goalkeeper.

AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri put on a brave face to claim that his side move a small step forward following this game.

"My lads played with effort, courage and intensity⁴, while Anderlecht never had a shot on target. It is a small step forward, as we kept a clean sheet, so now we've got to score against Udinese," he said.

"The positives are that we did not allow any clear scoring opportunities, but the negative is that we wasted some good chances and at the moment that's just the way things are going. My lads did the most they could in a moment that is not easy.

"It's a shame, as a victory would've been important for the lads tonight, as it's certainly not a positive moment psychologically⁵. I still think we're on the right path and am relaxed, just as I was before the game," he said.

Midfielder Mathieu Flamini felt hurt to be jeered⁶ by home fans following AC Milan were booed off the field.

"It hurts to be jeered, of course. Today the team wanted to win the game and had three great chances," the Frenchman said.

"It's positive that we were solid defensively and did not concede⁷. Now we are looking for a goal and we don't know why it hasn't come, because this side has quality and created opportunities.

"It is to be considered a positive point and I am sure the goal will arrive in the next game. We must forget this night, work hard and I'm confident things will go well," he said.

1 shrug   

v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等)

参考例句：

• With a shrug,he went out of the room.他耸一下肩，走出了房间。
• I admire the way she is able to shrug off unfair criticism.我很佩服她能对错误的批评意见不予理会。

2 desperately   

adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地

参考例句：

• He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。
• He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。

3 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

4 intensity   

n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度

参考例句：

• I didn't realize the intensity of people's feelings on this issue.我没有意识到这一问题能引起群情激奋。
• The strike is growing in intensity.罢工日益加剧。

5 psychologically   

adv.心理上地，心理学地

参考例句：

• This explanation fits the facts and is psychologically plausible. 这一解释与事实相符，从心理角度看也有理。
• Boys mature more slowly than girls,both physically and psychologically. 在生理和心理上，男孩比女孩成熟得晚些。

6 jeered   

v.嘲笑( jeer的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The police were jeered at by the waiting crowd. 警察受到在等待的人群的嘲弄。
• The crowd jeered when the boxer was knocked down. 当那个拳击手被打倒时，人们开始嘲笑他。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 concede   

vt.承认，容许，（比赛结束前）认输，退让

参考例句：

• I concede that you are right.我承认你是对的。
• He will not concede what anything ails his business.他不允许任何事情来干扰他的工作。