Abbiati shines as Milan progress
A strike from Rui Costa and an own goal from Shimon Gershon in the first half gave Milan the victory, although a brilliant performance by Christian Abbiati in the Rossoneri goal kept his side in it in the second period.
Milan started strongly - well aware that Hapoel were keen to end the Uefa Cup campaign of a second Italian team after knocking out Parma in the last round.
The Israeli side had made light of a forced move to a neutral venue in the first leg, and brought a one goal advantage to Giuseppe Meazza.
However, Rui Costa, finally beginning to look like the player that Milan paid £28 million to Fiorentina for, was given a chance from a free-kick after returning Filippo Inzaghi was hauled down on the edge of the area.
The Portuguese midfielder smashed an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner with just five minutes on the clock, and the belief that has been so lacking in the Milan side of late came flooding back.
The lively Marco Simone, after snatching at an earlier half chance, saw a lovely curled cross strike the cross bar and team-mate Massimo Ambrosini miss the resultant opportunity.
Rui Costa was largely responsible for the second, sending in a tricky cross that Israel international Gershon touched into his own goal
Hapoel were not out of it - with one away goal in Milan putting them back in the driving seat - and went close when Asaf Domb brought a spectacular stop from Italy's third choice keeper Abbiati.
As Milan's confidence turned to nerves, Hapoel bombarded the goal - with set-pieces conjuring the biggest threat to the impressive Abbiati's goal.
But Milan kept their visitors at bay, and will now view the Uefa Cup as a shining light in an otherwise disappointing season.
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