Holders Porto say they can win in Milan against Inter

Despite their 1-1 home draw with Inter on Wednesday, defending champions Porto are optimistic they are on course to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

"The result of the game is not what we expected, but our hopes remain intact," said Porto striker Benni McCarthy.

"The second leg will be complicated, but we can win in Italy, like we did this season in Moscow against CSKA."

Inter went ahead in the 24th minute with an Obafemi Martins goal before defender Ricardo Costa scored a 61st-minute equaliser for the hosts.

"If we had lost it would be much more complicated," said Costa.

"The draw leaves things open for the second leg and in Milan we can win. They scored here, we can score there."

Porto's Nuno Valente, who ended a five-month injury lay-off, was also confident.

"It was a shame that we did not win, but we have all the momentum to go forward and we are going to Milan to win," he said.

Veteran goalkeeper Vitor Baia marked his 100th match in European competition with an outstanding performance.

In the final minutes, Baia prevented Inter from regaining the lead with two fine saves, first at the feet of substitute striker Christian Vieri and then turning away a powerful shot by Dejan Stankovic.

"Vitor Baia was really good," Inter coach Roberto Mancini said.

"FC Porto is not just any adversary. It's an excellent team. It's true that we could have settled things in the first half, which we couldn't do, but even so it was a good result."

Porto coach Jose Couceiro said he had believed all along that the outcome would be determined in Milan, not Porto.

"At this moment we are at a disadvantage, but we have the conditions to win in Italy," he said.

The two teams meet in the second leg in Milan on March 15, a week after the other seven ties are completed.

Inter share the San Siro stadium with Milan who are also at home in the second leg.