Chelsea and Liverpool played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal on Wednesday, with scoring opportunities limited amid a tough midfield battle.

Chelsea had the better possession, but Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard wasted good opportunities to score and Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek never faced a shot on goal.

The Reds also had the stronger chances, with only a reflex save by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech stopping Milan Baros' header in the 38th minute.

On Tuesday, AC Milan beat PSV Eindhoven 2-0 in the first leg of their semifinal off goals from Andriy Shevchenko and Jon Dahl Tomasson. The second legs are next week, with the final on May 25 in Istanbul, Turkey.

``I think we go to the final,'' Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho said. ``We have scored goals at Liverpool. I think 99.9 percent of Liverpool fans think they, at this moment, they have one foot in the final and they haven't. It's very difficult for them. At this moment I think we are in a very good position.''

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was also confident.

``I thought we controlled the ball better,'' he said. ``At the end I thought the draw was a good result. But we need only to win at Anfield. It's always good to have confidence. With our supporters cheering us all the time, I have a lot of confidence.''

Liverpool will be without Xabi Alonso for the return match after he was given a yellow card in the 87th minute for a tackle on Eidur Gudjohnsen.

The Reds have already lost three times to Chelsea this season -- twice 1-0 in the Premier League and a 3-2 League Cup defeat.

(Agencies)