The big match in Group C between AC Milan and Real Madrid ended all square as Ronaldinho's exquisite penalty cancelled out Karim Benzema's opener in an action packed clash at the San Siro.

Brazilian magician Ronaldinho came back to haunt his old nemesis as his first-half penalty secured the Rossoneri a deserved 1-1 draw and to keep them top of Group C.

Going into the match much was made of Real's San Siro hoodoo, having never won in the fashion capital, and eyebrows were raised before a ball was even kicked when under-fire Los Blancos coach Manuel Pellegrini omitted captain Raul from the first-team in favour of Gonzalo Higuain.

Likewise, Leonardo opted for Marco Borriello in view of the Italian hitman's brace on the weekend against Parma, with Pippo Inzaghi having to settle for a place on the substitute's bench.

The way side made a positive start to the match, with full-back Sergio Ramos' marauding runs down the right stretching Milan ace Gianluca Zambrotta, whilst Kaka - who was often booed - sought to utilise the space in the middle of the park.

The first real chance arrived on 19 minutes when Real's £35million striker Karim Benzema wriggled in the box and flashed a shot just past Dida’s post.

The visitors were clearly ordered to shoot-on-sight and it paid dividends when just before the half-hour Kaka got free in the middle yet again and drove a fierce shot towards Dida.

The big Brazilian shot-stopper could only parry it into the path of Benzema, who tucked the ball home for 1-0 with the relief on Pellegrini's face in the away dugout palpable, although he urged caution.

He was right to do so as five minutes later Zambrotta broke into the Real area but his attempted a cut-back bounced off the hands of Pepe and the referee duly pointed to the spot.

Up stepped the ever impressive Ronaldinho and the 28-year-old made no mistake as he slammed the ball into the top-corner for 1-1.

Minutes later 'Dinho' fed a high through ball to Alexandre Pato who niftily rwiggled past Real full-back Alvaro Arbeloa before angling a right foot shot into the far corner - 80,000 fans leapt to their feet in joy but the referee whistled for an apparent push.

By now the tie was well and truly alive and seconds later Kaka tested Dida from distance again.

The second half started at a much more moderate pace although up top Pato continued to harass and harangue the Real back-line.

Raul was thrown into the mix on 74 minutes and Leonardo reacted instantly by bringing on Pippo Inzaghi for Borriello.

Amazingly, both substitutes could have won it late on, firstly, when 'Super Pippo' failed to connect with a deep cross by Massimo Oddo, and then Raul almost won it as the clock wound down, but Dida was equal to his left-foot drive.

A 1-1 draw was in hindsight a fair result and leaves Milan top of the group on seven points with Real only second on goal difference.

Elsewhere in the group, Marseille moved up to six points, just one behind the two leaders, after they thrashed FC Zurich 6-1 at the Stade Velodrome.