Inter will play the European Champions League final for the first time in 38 years

Inter Milan reached the European Champions League final for the first time in 38 years, surviving Thiago Motta's first-half ejection to defeat defending champion Barcelona on 3-2 aggregate despite a 1-0 loss Wednesday night in Barcelona. Inter will play Bayern Munich in the final May 22 at Madrid.

Photo: Inter will play the European Champions League final for the first time in 38 years

Gerard Pique scored in the 84th minute for Barcelona, which had lost the first leg in Italy 3-1 last week. Bojan Krkic put the ball into the net in injury time but it was disallowed because of a handball called on Yaya Toure during the buildup, San Francisco Chronicle informs.

"It is marvelous," Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder said. "We are in the final, which was a dream. We have to enjoy this moment, but start thinking about the championship again soon, as well as the Italian Cup. We don't want to let anything slip away."

"There was a very tense atmosphere, but we only thought about the match," Inter captain Javier Zanetti said. "After the sending off (of Thiago Motto), the spirit of this squad came through on the pitch. Right now we have to think about the championship, then we can concentrate fully on the final in Madrid.", USA Today reports.