Milan, Aug 29 (IANS): AC Milan booked a place in the Champions League group stage after beating PSV Eindhoven 3-0 at home in the play-off.

The seven-time champions went through the qualifiers with an aggregate score 4-1 over Eindhoven Wednesday to make the group stage for the 11th time in 12 seasons, reports Xinhua.

Kevin Price-Boateng opened the scoring in the ninth minute, before Mario Balotelli doubled the hosts' lead in the 55th minute. Boateng then sealed the win in the 77th minute.

Balotelli was delighted at the win, saying: "In Holland, we played a good game and were unlucky to draw. Here in Milan we proved that we deserved it, as we killed them."

But the head coach of AC Milan Massimiliano seemed annoyed at some pre-game reports speculating that he could be sacked if his team fails to win

"I am satisfied with the performance, but very angry tonight. I am very angry, fortunately occasionally we win a game and the lads allow me to have some fun too," he said.

"They are trying to make me angry from the outside, it doesn' t work. From the inside there is a good rapport with the general manager, the players and the club," he said.

"Still some like to write rubbish, so when I read this pontificating about what they'd do - fine, come and take my place on the bench and see if you can get the results I have," he said.