PSV Eindhoven’s 3-1 defeat over AC Milan in the second leg of the Champions League wasn’t enough for them to secure a place in the final…
PSV, 2-0 down from the first leg, took control of proceedings making the perfect start when Ji-Sung Park superbly scored on nine minutes.
Just past the hour Young-Pyo Lee crossed for Philip Cocu to head home and level the tie on aggregate.
Ambrosini headed in Kaka’s cross and although Cocu’s second goal – a superb volley – gave PSV hope, Milan’s away goal proved crucial.
Cocu’s brilliant run of play continued into injury time, giving Carlo Ancelotti a near heart attack and briefly reviving PSV’s hope of seeing the final.
But unfortunately the extra goal wasn’t enough.
PSV were determined to take charge in their home ground and within minutes a Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink bicycle kick volley set Paolo Maldini to work, hitting him in the back of the head.
In the ninth minute, Park opened PSV’s account and shook Milan’s defence as he put the ball high past Milan’s goalkeeper Dida.
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink’s header from Mark van Bommel’s pass continued to contribute to the unfolding drama of destabilising Milan’s defence, but it came off the bar.
Early in the second-half, PSV continued to out-wit Milan.
Shevchenko had the ball stolen from under his nose by Theo Lucius.
The 65th minute hailed Cocu’s second goal and tie leveller.
Lee’s cross arrived with perfect timing for Cocu to head past an exasperated Dida.
Other contributions came from Brazilian substitute Robert who forced a decent save from Dida, creating a corner, but the consequent volley taken by Jefferson Farfan went wide.
Tomasson came on to create an extra strike force for Milan and to bolster Shevchenko.
Ambrosini started to give warning signals that Gomes the PSV keeper needed to sharpen up after a Milan corner.
In stoppage time an unmarked Ambrosini delivered a header, securing Milan’s place in the Champions’ League Final.
Milan won on away goals (3-3 on aggregate).
The final is scheduled for 25 May.
