AC Milan have yet to find Shevchenko's heir

LENS, France, Sep 27 (Reuters) AC Milan sorely missed Andriy Shevchenko when they were held to a goalless draw away to Lille in Champions League Group H yesterday.

The Ukraine striker, who left for English champions Chelsea during the close-season, was replaced by Brazilian Ricardo Oliveira, who has yet to make an impact.

In Lens, where Lille play their home Champions League matches because their own stadium does not meet European standards, Italy striker Alberto Gilardino was alone up front.

This was not enough for the six-times European champions, who created many chances but failed to make the telling breakthrough.

Gilardino fell centimetres short of scoring his first goal in 13 Champions League appearances when his 43rd-minute attempt shaved Tony Sylva's right post.

Milan had also been held to 0-0 draw by unsung Livorno at the weekend in Serie A, where they have scored only five times in four matches.

''We have not scored in our last two games? Yes, but I do not think it is because of physical or psychological fatigue,'' coach Carlo Ancelotti said after yesterday's match.

''I am satisfied with this single-striker system because our midfielders, such as Kaka and Seedorf, created a lot of chances.'' Ancelotti stressed that Clarence Seedorf's goal, disallowed for a less than obvious offside position in the 52nd minute, should have given the Italian side a deserved advantage.

''Seedorf's goal seemed perfectly valid,'' he said.

However, he said Milan should have been more efficient against a team who had conceded seven goals in their last two Ligue 1 matches.

''I am satisfied, though we could have been more lucid in attacking phases,'' said Ancelotti, who replaced Gilardino with Filippo Inzaghi, a proven match winner, 13 minutes from time.

This 33-year-old member of Italy World Cup-winning squad did not have time to make a difference.

Milan lead the Group H standings with four points from two games.

Lille and Anderlecht have two points and AEK Athens one.

REUTERS DH KN1548