AC Milan celebrate victory Match photos

Andriy Shevchenko labelled the goal that took AC Milan into the Champions League final at the expense of rivals Inter as "the most important of my career".

Shevchenko struck in first-half injury-time to score the vital away goal in the Italian derby at the San Siro.

Inter Milan substitute Obafemi Martins struck late on to give his side a 1-1 draw but AC Milan go through to the final at Old Trafford on 28 May on away goals.

And Shevchenko threw down the gauntlet to potential opponents Real Madrid and Juventus, who meet on Wednesday to decide their opponents.

He said: "Now I'm looking forward to the final with great confidence.

"Let's hope for a wonderful final. It was a real battle, tougher than any match I've been in. They were strong - but not as strong as us."

Match report: Inter Milan 1-1 AC Milan

"This goal is definitely the most important of my career."

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, was relieved as he said: "The goal gave them the lift they needed, but thankfully it came too late.

"Martins gave us immense problems with his pace and we looked a little anxious in the final few minutes.

"But overall I thought we were the better team over the two matches," added Ancelotti, who won two European Cups with Milan as a player.

Bur he was unhappy that the game had been billed as a battle for the future of Ancelotti and his opposite number at Inter Hector Cuper - with the loser tipped to be sacked.

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He said: "On the day before the game it was a massacre between me and Cuper over who would be for the high jump if there was a defeat.

"Perhaps there will be never again a Milan derby in the semi-final of the Champions League: we should have given another image.

"It is time for football, and especially Italian football, to change course."

And Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi, AC Milan's owner and president, was ecstatic as he said that Shevchenko's goal was "very, very beautiful.

"I am breathing fresh air, the air of a final,"

Milan will be playing their ninth final, their first since 1995.

Inter defender Fabio Cannavaro admitted: "It was unfortunate that our equaliser came too late.

"We sat back in the first-half and allowed Milan to attack us, and that was the wrong approach.

"We gave them far too much respect and should have pressed them more. It was a huge mistake."