AC Milan are through to the Champions League group stages after a 3-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven.
After returning from Holland with an away goal last week, Milan began well in the San Siro and netted an early opener through Kevin-Prince Boateng.
PSV missed several opportunities to net an equaliser, and they were made to paid as Mario Balotelli doubled Milan's lead.
The result was put beyond doubt with 13 minutes remaining when Boateng netted his second to confirm his side's place in tomorrow's draw.
Read below to see how the action unfolded in the San Siro.
Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's coverage of the second leg of the Champions League playoff tie between AC Milan and PSV Eindhoven.
One of the most successful teams in European history against one of the top sides from Holland - it doesn't seem right that two illustrious sides such as these should be scrapping it out for a Champions League place. But that is exactly what is going to happen in around 55 minutes' time.
Both clubs have been a shadow of their previous success over recent years, which has resulted in them being paired together in the playoff draw. The victor of the tie will progress through to the group stage, while the losers will have the consolation prize of a spot in the Europa League.
As ever, we will be all over the breaking team news as soon as we get it, but with the tie in the balance, I would expect both managers to go with their most experienced lineups.
The first leg at the Philips Stadion proved to be a competitive affair. Milan looked in control after netting an away goal through Stephan El Shaarawy, but PSV striker Tim Matavz handed his side a lifeline ahead of tonight's second leg.
AC MILAN XI: Abbiati; Abate, Mexes, Zapata, De Sciglio; De Jong, Montolivo, Muntari; Boateng, Balotelli, El Shaarawy
PSV EINDHOVEN XI: Zoet; Brenet, Bruma, Rekik, Willems; Wijnaldum, Schaars, Maher; Park, Matavz, Depay
So then, what do we make of those two selections? Most of the focus will be on Milan's attacking threat, with El Shaarawy likely to pull the strings in the San Siro, while PSV will look to Park and Maher to showcase their class in helping their side upset the Serie A club.
This tie is not the only one that will come to a conclusion tonight. Celtic host Shakhtyor Karaganda as they look to overturn a 2-0 deficit, while Lyon are in the same boat against Real Sociedad.
If none of the European ties take your fancy, there is also the clash between Morecambe and Newcastle United taking place in the Capital One Cup.
Milan will be looking to maintain their city's inclusion in Europe's premier competition when they step onto the pitch this evening. The last time that neither AC or Inter failed to qualify for the group stages was the 2001-02 season.
AC MILAN SUBSTITUTES: Amelia, Robinho, Poli, Nocerino, Silvestre, Emanuelson, Niang
PSV EINDHOVEN SUBSTITUTES: Tyton, Jorgensen, Toivonen, Locadia, Arias, Jozefzoon, Hendrix
Both teams can boast notable firepower on their respective benches. Robinho may not be the player of five years ago, but he still has the ability to conjure up some magic should his side need it. As for PSV, Ola Toivonen possesses a fine scoring record and will almost certainly make an appearance later in the match.
As with the majority of Europe, both clubs have began their domestic campaigns. Milan started Serie A with a 2-1 defeat to Hellas Verona at the weekend, while PSV have recorded 10 points from their opening four fixtures in Eredivisie.
PREDICTION! Milan are the favourites to progress, but I am expecting a really entertaining encounter this evening. PSV have players that can punish Milan if any of their stars fail to turn up. I am predicting goals this evening, and I reckon Milan will run out 3-2 victors.
There's already an electric atmosphere inside the San Siro. The home supporters might have an important part to play as the evening goes on.
The eagle-eyed amongst you would have noticed that PSV's centre-back pairing consists of two former Premier League players. Jeffrey Bruma made nine appearances for Chelsea, while Karim Rekik is currently on loan from Manchester City.
The two teams are currently going through the pre-match pleasantries. Kickoff is just around the corner.
English referee Mark Clattenburg gets us underway.
Positive start from Milan, who manage to get a low cross into the box, but it is claimed by the goalkeeper.
Milan are really stamping their authority on proceedings in the early stages. They haven't managed to get a shot away, but they are keeping PSV away from the ball.
That's better from PSV, who register the first attempt on goal of the match through Matavz, but his header from eight yards was clawed away by Abbiati.
GOAL! AC Milan 1-0 PSV Eindhoven (Boateng)
First blood to Milan, who take the lead through Kevin-Prince Boateng. The former Portsmouth midfielder was given far too much time and space on the edge of the penalty area, before driving the ball into the bottom corner.
Milan certainly have the momentum now, and they are pushing for a second. El Shaarawy has looked lively on the ball, and he went close with a curling effort from 20 yards out.
It's vital that PSV manage to weather the storm, or else this match could be soon done and dusted. The Dutch outfit are struggling to spend any prolonged time on the ball, and as a result, Milan are piling on the pressure.
We haven't seen much of Balotelli, but he introduces himself into the match with a burst from the centre circle before firing the ball harmlessly over the crossbar.
EFFORT! In the words of Ray Wilkins, my word. What a volley from Maher. The Dutch Under-21 international received the ball around 30 yards out, before unleashing a shot that seemed destined for the top corner before Abbiati threw out a hand to claw it out.
The boos from the Milan supporters will be music to the ears of PSV. They are making more of an impression on the overall play of the game.
There doesn't seem to be much love lost between Rekik and Balotelli, who used to be teammates at Manchester City. Rekik has let the striker know that he is about on several occasions, and I think Balotelli has had enough. Watch this space.
Milan show a bit more threat going forward through Montolivo, but his volley from an acute angle flies into the side-netting.
WOODWORK! So unlucky! De Sciglio plays a fine cut-back to El Shaarawy who is 10 yards out, and his first-time effort rattles the underside of the crossbar, comes back down on the line and bounces clear. It was close, but I don't think that it went over.
Impressive response from PSV through Depay, who sees a driven 25-yard effort bounces past the post.
This is an important few minutes for PSV. If they can get into half-time just the one goal behind, they will fancy their chances of nicking an away goal after the break.
CHANCE! Milan should be 2-0 up. The ball was well-worked down the right-hand side for Montolivo to cross for Balotelli, but the striker could only glance his header several yards wide.
BOOKINGS! Well that was all a little bit needless. Montolivo and Schaars go into the referee's notebook after a bit of handbags over nothing.
There will be one minute of added-on time...I think.
Balotelli has won a free-kick just before the half time whistle. He opts to shoot from 35 yards out, but it is well held by Zoet.
HALF TIME: AC Milan 1-0 PSV Eindhoven
Well that was a pretty entertaining 45 minutes, wasn't it? AC Milan have the lead but it has been anything but straightforward for them. PSV are by no means out of this.
I doubt that PSV coach Phillip Cocu will make any alterations just yet, but as I alluded to before kickoff, he has Ola Toivonen waiting in the wings. Expect to see him if his side haven't netted in the opening 20 minutes of the second half.
The good news for Celtic fans is that their side have pulled a goal back in their crucial clash with Shakhtyor Karaganda. They still need to net at least one more though...
We are back underway in the second half
CHANCE! Oh my, what a chance for PSV! The ball was sent into the penalty area, and it found its way to Wijnaldum at the back post. He takes his time, before volleying the ball straight at Abbiati, who pulls off a superb stop! Should be 1-1. It's all PSV in the opening two minutes.
Milan are well and truly on the defensive here. PSV are having plenty of time on the ball to play it out from the back with purpose. You feel as those they need to capitalise on this momentum though.
BOOKING! Bruma is the second PSV man to enter the book after clattering into Balotelli on the halfway line.
CHANCE! After all of PSV's pressure, it should be 2-0 to Milan. Balotelli flicked the ball on for El Shaarawy, but he could only divert the ball inches past the post from 12 yards.
GOAL! AC Milan 2-0 PSV Eindhoven (Balotelli)
Why always him? A corner is swung into the box, which is flicked on by Mexes for Balotelli to poke a leg out to send the ball into the roof of the net. That could be game over for PSV, who will feel very hard done by.
Well that takes extra-time out of the equation. PSV need two goals in the next half hour or else they will be heading into the Europa League.
SUBSTITUTION! Jozefzoon is on in place of Park, who has hardly featured at all for PSV.
BOOKING! Balotelli joins Montolivo in Clattenburg's notebook after sliding in late on Jozefzoon. The resulting free-kick was easily cleared by Milan.
I'm a bit surprised that we haven't seen any sign of Toivonen. It's all gone a little bit quiet for PSV, who need to be placing a bit more emphasis on attack.
SHOT! Schaars does superbly on the right-hand side before firing a decent effort at Abbiati, who tips the ball over. Here comes Toivonen, who replaces Maher.
Balotelli has just received some treatment after appearing to twist his knee on the touchline. He's back up, but I can't see him continuing.
SUBSTITUTIONS! Changes for both sides. El Shaarawy makes his exit for Andrea Poli, while Locadia replaces Depay for PSV. Just over 15 minutes remaining in the San Siro.
GOAL! AC Milan 3-0 PSV Eindhoven (Boateng)
Game over. Balotelli, who looks to have recovered from that knee niggle, plays a fine ball through to Poli, who shows excellent vision in locating Boateng on the edge of the penalty area. The Ghanaian shuffles past the defender before scuffing his shot into the far corner.
That goal was a bit harsh on PSV, but Milan deserve their victory, simply after showing more quality in front of goal. Their defence looks a bit shaky, but they have the game to beat anyone in the group stages.
Celtic are currently locked at 2-2 in their match at Celtic Park. You can follow the action in Scotland by clicking here.
SUBSTITUTION! Milan make a late change by bringing on Robinho for Boateng. Not a bad player to have up your sleeve.
There will be three minutes of added-on time at the end of the 90 minutes.
As the match peters out, it's worth noting that Mark Clattenburg has had a very good game tonight. Those are words that I never thought that I would write...
FULL TIME: AC Milan 3-0 PSV Eindhoven
AC Milan run out comfortable winners in the San Siro, but it was anything but that for the opening 55 minutes. They will take their place in the group stage draw tomorrow.
PSV should take a lot of positives from their performance tonight, and they have the potential to make an impact in this season's Europa League.
There's terrific news emerging from Celtic Park. Celtic have fought back from a 2-0 deficit in the first leg to record a 3-0 victory over Shakhtyor Karaganda. What a win!
That will be all from Sports Mole this evening. Thank you for joining us, and be sure to return for the draw for the Champions League group stages tomorrow afternoon. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
