Milan beat Inter thanks, somewhat ironically considering they both share the same San Siro stadium, to the "away goals" rule after a tense two-legged semi-final in 2003.
AC Milan's "home" match ended in a 0-0 draw and, six days later back in the San Siro as the away team, they drew 1-1 with Inter to advance to the final where they met more Italian opposition in the shape of Juventus.
"We all wanted to avoid a derby, however I think the atmosphere will be diferent from that of the semi-finals two years ago," said Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti.
At their previous meeting Ancelotti and then Inter coach Hector Cuper went into the match with their entire seasons depending on the outcome.
Neither coach had won a trophy at their club and both were under intense pressure.
"The essential thing now is to create a calm and relaxed atmosphere and just focus on doing well in both games," said Ancelotti whose team went on to beat Juventus in the 2003 final on penalties and then claim the Italian title last season.
PIRLO UNHAPPY
Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo, a former Inter player, was also unhappy with the draw.
"It would have been preferable to have avoided another Italian side at this stage in the competition but we have got Inter so there you go," he said.
"There will be tension but that happens against other teams as well, the quarter-finals were always going to be difficult anyway," he added.
Inter coach Roberto Mancini said he was unfazed by the draw.
"I had no particular reaction. To win the Champions League you have to face this kind of opponent sooner or later," he said.
But Mancini also said he would have preferred to have not been drawn against Inter's city rivals.
"Just because of the pressure of derbies. It should be obvious that I would have also wanted to avoid Juventus because you always hope to meet a foreign team in the Champions League," he added.
The only player to break ranks on the general disappointment was Inter keeper Francesco Toldo who fired the first shots in what is sure to be an intense build-up to the April 6 first leg.
"It was them who wanted to avoid us in the draw. For what reason? They know," said the former Italy international.
Whoever eventually comes through the tie could yet face more Italian opposition if they make it through to the final in Istanbul on May 25.
The winner of the tie will face either Olympique Lyon or PSV Eindhoven in the semi-finals. If they come through that they could face Juventus in the final if Juventus beats Liverpool in their quarter-final and then sees off the winner of the Chelsea-Bayern Munich quarter-final in their semi.
