AC Milan achieved their 100th victory in the history of the European Cup by beating Red Star Belgrade 1-0 at the San Siro, and now hope to seal their place in the competition proper - the group stage - after the second leg in Serbia on August 23.

A month to the day since Italy won the World Cup, four of their squad -- Filippo Inzaghi, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso and Alberto Gilardino -- helped Milan to a morale-boosting win.

It was Inzaghi's 33rd birthday and the striker celebrated in style by poaching the match-winner after 22 minutes at San Siro, a rare moment of celebration for the club in recent weeks.

Ancelotti said afterwards: “The team gave everything and played with good tempo for an hour, which was all we had considering the fitness preparation.

“We could’ve scored more goals and created plenty of chances, but in the circumstances it was a great result. We hope to be in even better shape for the second leg.”

Ancelotti gave a debut to French summer signing Yoann Gourcuff, and said of his new player:

“Gourcuff is a very talented individual with some fascinating qualities. He’s a wonderful buy and a real Milan player.”

MIlan: (4-3-1-2) 1Dida N,2 Cafu M(Brocchi),17 Simic D,5 Costacurta A,27 Serginho C,8 Gattuso G,21 Pirlo A (Gourcuff),10 Seedorf C,22 Kaka' R,11 Gilardino A(Ambrosini),9 Inzaghi F. Coach - Ancelotti

Red Star Belgrade(Yugoslavia): (4-1-1) Randelovic, Pantic, Bisevac, Gaj, Perovic(Tutoric), Basta, Kovacevic, Milovanovic(Djokic), Georgiev, Jankovic(Krivokapic), Zigic. Coach - Bajevic.

Levski Sofia moved a step closer to becoming the first Bulgarian team to play in the Champions League group stage after a 2-0 win over Italy's Chievo Verona in their third qualifying round first leg match on Wednesday.

Bulgaria under-21 striker Valeri Domovchiiski put Levski ahead after eight minutes from Hristo Yovov's fine left-wing cross while French midfielder Cedric Bardon wrapped up the victory from the penalty spot five minutes from time.

The Italians had almost grabbed an early lead when Amauri Carvalho De Oliveira's close range effort was saved by goalkeeper Georgi Petkov in the sixth minute.

Chievo had long spells of possession in the closing stages before Levski substitute Emil Angelov was brought down in the area by defender Giuseppe Scurto and Bardon stepped up to make it 2-0 and give them a comfortable lead for the second leg. (goal/reuters)

Levski Sofia(Bulgaria): (4-2-3-1) Petkov,S. Angelov,Topukazov,Tomasic,Lucio Wagner,Richard,Borimirov,Telkiyski,Bardon,Yovov,Domovchiysky(E.Angelov). Coach - Stoilov

Chievo Verona: (4-4-2) Sicignano, Moro, Scurto, Mantovani, Lanna, Semioli, Brighi, Giunti, Zanchetta(Marcolini), Tiribocchi(Pellissier), Amauri. Coach - Pilon.