Ambrosini's the heartbreaker as Milan edge PSV

PSV 3 AC Milan 1

AC MILAN set up a Champions League Final against Liverpool last night - but even their players admitted they had been lucky against PSV Eindhoven.

PSV won 3-1 on the night and more than matched Milan, overrunning them in midfield.

It was not enough, though, as Milan's European know-how came to the fore in injury-time, Massimo Ambrosini heading home Kaka's cross to give the visitors the away goal that would prove decisive.

Up to that point, Milan had looked totally out of sorts and trailed to goals from Ji-Sung Park and Phillip Cocu.

Cocu still found time to net PSV's third goal after Ambrosini's effort but it was not enough.

The 3-3 aggregate score put Milan through - much to the relief of the Italians.

Alessandro Nesta said: "They put in a tremendous effort and played very well. The lead gave them a lift and we were not able to react.

"Maybe we were affected by playing nine games in the last 27 days but there is no doubt we were second best."

Midfielder Andrea Pirlo added: "We have mixed emotions. It was a bad evening but we have reached the final.

"PSV played very well and you could say they deserved to go through. We would rather have got through another way but we are there."

PSV, roared on by a raucous Phillips Stadium crowd, started well and appeared determined to cancel out Milan's 2-0 advantage from the first leg in double quick time. They had already had a couple of half-chances by the time Park latched on to a loose ball in the box and fired high into the net past the despairing Dida.

Burly striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink almost doubled the hosts' advantage after 26 minutes but his shot came back off the bar.

Milan were being outplayed and the only surprise was that they managed to hold out until the 66th minute before conceding again - Young-Pyo Lee crossing for Cocu to head home.

Extra- time was looming until Ambrosini stole in to break PSV hearts.

It was fitting that the home side, and the outstanding Cocu, should have the final say.

The former Barc e lona mid -fielder fired in a wonderful volley with virtually the last kick.

It was too little too late for PSV and their coach Guus Hiddink conceded defeat was hard to take.

He said: "I feel empty after letting go of the game but I have to pay a huge complement to my team.

"It is a bitter pill to swallow, especially after we came so close to knocking out one of the biggest teams in Europe.

"We controlled the match very well and we thought we had it under control but the quality of the players which Milan possess mean you have to concentrate to the last minute."

It is a lesson Liverpool will do well to heed.

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