AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani is convinced their players' fitness held them back in last night's 0-0 draw at Arsenal.

"The result is satisfying considering the way the game was going early in the second half. This is a good side and are not top of the Premier League for nothing," said Galliani.

"We got a very tough draw here and it will be extremely difficult, but we expect to qualify and carry on in the competition.

"The Champions League is a different sport when it comes to atmosphere, approach and everything else. Now we will prepare, hope to get our fitness levels back - especially Kaka and Clarence Seedorf, who have been out for a few weeks and were rusty - and it will be a different Milan in the second leg."

The Rossoneri lost Alexandre Pato and Alessandro Nesta to injury during the game and also had Ronaldo and Nelson Dida sidelined.

"Pato just had cramps and Nesta reassured everyone, he stopped before anything more serious could happen, so they are both easily recoverable.

"What people forget is that because of the Club World Cup we had to play the Serie A games on a Wednesday the last few weeks when others were resting. Our players are not robots, they are human beings.

"We made our bed and will lie in it, but I believe this team has everything needed to achieve a top four finish. I cannot imagine a Milan out of the Champions League next season, even though it's tricky to win it every year!"