Adam Maher remains optimistic about PSV's chances of making it to the group stages of the Champions League at the expense of AC Milan after their 1-1 home draw in the first leg.

Stephan El Shaarawy gave Milan before the break, before Tim Matavz restored parity in the second half, but Phillip Cocu's side were unable to get a winner in the remainder of the game.

Nevertheless, the 20-year-old feels the Eredivisie giants can still progress if they put in a similar performance in the return fixture. 

"This match is a real confidence boost ahead of the return. We can beat Milan at San Siro if we replicate our performance from the first leg," he told Goal.

"We were confident that we could get a positive result and could have even won the match. Our display did not surprise me. I know what our qualities are and what Milan can do. And we now showed against a team of Milan's stature what we're capable of, too.

"It was a real shame that we didn't find the net early on, because you know they will capitalise on every mistake and that happened for the opener. 

"We would perhaps have settled for a 1-1 draw before the game, but in hindsight we wouldn't. We could have achieved more, even though I think we should be satisfied with a 1-1 draw."

Matavz, meanwhile, felt that PSV deserved more than a draw, yet stressed that the tie is not over just yet.

"We put in a good performance and created a lot of chances. I'm satisfied with how we played, but 1-1 is not the best of results heading into the second leg. We could have gotten a better result," the Slovenian striker said.

"We put in a good display and I hope we can play a similar game in the return. Milan hold the edge and it will not be easy, but we have nothing to lose."

The return at San Siro takes place on August 28.