CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL: Inter Milan 1 - AC Milan 1 (AC Milan win on away-goal rule)AC Milan will go to Old Trafford with the chance to take the European Cup for the first time in nine years, and this side may well be capable of glories of their own.
Internazionale equalised through Obafemi Martins in the 83rd minute before threatening to prevail, but the victors were much superior overall.
With local pride at stake as well as a place in Manchester, this was a contest that would have players rehearsing their excuses. All defects could be blamed on pressure, but these clubs proved too proud for excuses. If it remained goalless until first-half stoppage-time, it was only because the defenders were as well versed in their craft as the forwards.
In terms of the composition of the crowd, this was an away match for AC at the shared stadium, yet they entered the match with a swagger. Earlier in the season there were paeans to the team that were probably born of the wish that the club should once more have a line-up to compare with the side containing Franco Baresi, Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten.
Carlo Ancelotti, the current coach, was part of that group and wavers between idealism and the temptations of practicality.
Last night, after a period of dreary form, he was prepared to dream anew. His selection here had not only Rui Costa behind the attack, but, in Andrea Pirlo, another prompter in a slightly deeper position.
AC were far more fluent from the start, while Inter looked as if they had no wish even to be expressive. That's only accounted for partially by the injury that continued to rule out their spearhead Christian Vieri. The coach Hector Cuper is a careful man who likes his men to creep up on their objectives.
It was easier to warm to an expressive Milan. In the 45th minute, Clarence Seedorf fed a pass through on the left. Andrei Shevchenko forced the ball through the legs of Ivan Cordoba and, as the marker tried to trip him, clipped it past Francesco Toldo at the near post. It was the 10th goal the Ukrainian has struck against Inter.
This derby has unexpected facets. There was enough noise to make the seats vibrate, but there did not appear to be the level of hatred that could tear a ground apart. When rival supporters converge around the world, police check for their tear gas. Here, fans could stroll along together, seemingly engaged in conversation rather than goading.
When ill-will did break out, a booking for Luigi Di Biagio ensured he would miss the final if Inter reached it, but Milan promised to spare him heartache by winning here. They not only held the lead, but also enjoyed the advantage that an away goal bestows.
Silvio Berlusconi, the president of Italy who held that same title at Milan when they were in their pomp, beamed from his seat in the stand once the lead had been established.
It must have been a pleasure for him to see men such as Paolo Maldini and the 37-year-old "Billy" Costacurta, who earned their fame at the start of the 1990s, make their way towards one last final.
Inter never looked like stopping them. Seedorf brought down Cristian Zanetti very close to the penalty area in the 62nd minute, but the risk was usually hypothetical.
With a nod towards security, Milan did replace Rui Costa with Massimo Ambrosini, but they had already taken their risks and seen them pay off.
INTER MILAN: Toldo, Cordoba, Materazzi, Cannavaro, Cristiano Zanetti, Di Biagio (Dalmat 46), Javier Zanetti, Emre, Recoba (Martins 46), Crespo (Kallon 71), Sergio Conceicao. Subs Not Used: Fontana, Pasquale, Gamarra, Vivas. Booked: Di Biagio. Goals: Martins 83.
AC MILAN: Abbiati, Costacurta, Nesta, Maldini, Kaladze, Gattuso, Rui Costa (Ambrosini 63), Pirlo (Brocchi 89), Seedorf, Shevchenko, Inzaghi (Serginho 80). Subs Not Used: Fiori, Rivaldo, Tomasson, Roque Junior. Booked: Gattuso, Inzaghi, Rui Costa, Kaladze. Goals: Shevchenko 45.
Referee: G Veissiere (France).
