Milan made a tough return to the Europa League, falling 2-0 to Benfica on their own pitch. This outcome followed back-to-back Serie A stalemates with Juventus and Lazio, and coach Ruben Amorim’s lineup choices are already drawing criticism.
Amorim shuffled his side for the European opener, giving Omari Hutchinson and Filippo Terracciano their first starts of the campaign, restoring Davide Bartesaghi from injury and reworking the midfield. Benfica also rang the changes, altering nine spots in their starting lineup before Sunday’s clash with FC Porto.
Milan and Benfica exchange early opportunities
Benfica arrived on a seven-match winning streak, though they had never beaten Milan before. The Portuguese club had drawn twice and lost four times in prior meetings, including the 1963 and 1990 European Cup Finals.
Dodi Lukebakio tested Mike Maignan early with a shot right at the keeper before breaking through shortly after. Taking a pass from Jakub Kaminski on the right, Lukebakio drifted inside with Bartesaghi chasing and bent a left-footed strike into the far bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Benfica nearly added a second in the 24th minute when Ardon Jashari surrendered the ball carelessly. Georgiy Sudakov pounced on the loose ball and rattled the base of the far post from the edge of the area.
Milan’s first real answer came via Terracciano, whose fierce long-range attempt forced Anatoliy Trubin into a diving stop. Goncalo Ramos then failed to connect with Bartesaghi’s cross across the box.
Benfica doubles their advantage over Milan
Jashari attempted to atone with a shot from the edge of the box that sailed just over the bar, but Milan again failed to score in the first 45 minutes. That marked the fifth time this had occurred under Amorim.
Christian Pulisic and Mario Gila came on at the start of the second half as Milan sought a reply. Koni De Winter then squandered a chance after good work from Alphadjo Cisse, scuffing his effort wide from eight yards.
Instead, Benfica grabbed a second goal. El Karouani pulled the ball back from the left, letting Kaminski blast into the roof of the net from eight yards with little pressure. Kaminski had already seen another attempt blocked earlier in the game.
Milan kept hunting a way back. Yunus Musah failed to make clean contact with a chance after Diego Moreira came on, while Pulisic forced Trubin into a save at the near bottom corner after receiving the ball from Alexis Saelemaekers.
The Europa League loss spotlights Milan’s scoring issues
The Rossoneri carved out more opportunities late, with Adrien Rabiot shooting just over and Trubin making another key intervention to push a Pulisic snapshot around the base of the far post.
Despite those chances, Milan could not find the net and began their Europa League run with a 2-0 home defeat. Benfica’s defence stood firm after seizing control of the contest in the second half.
The loss also highlighted Milan’s struggles in front of goal. The numbers show that all but one of their goals this season have come during a five-minute window between the 64th and 69th minutes, with the only exception being an own goal against Venezia.
For Amorim, the European setback arrived after the consecutive Serie A draws with Juventus and Lazio, piling more scrutiny on his decisions as Milan aim for greater consistency in attack.