French forward Karim Benzema gave the visitors, who lost 3-2 to Milan at Santiago Bernabeu two weeks ago, the lead after 29 minutes.

Milan's Brazilian keeper Dida could only parry Kaka's shot, which took a slight deflection, into the path of Benzema to slot home from close range.

Ronaldinho leveled the score ten minutes before the break when he converted a controversial penalty after Real defender Pepe was adjudged to have handled in the area.

Ronaldinho's Brazilian compatriot Alexandre Pato, who played on the right wing in a three-pronged attack, thought he had put Milan in front moments later but the referee harshly ruled out his goal for an alleged handball.

Milan and Real are joint leaders with seven points from four games, one ahead of Marseille who remained in the hunt with an emphatic 6-1 victory over Zurich, who lie at the bottom with three points.