AC Milan's 2026-27 Europa League campaign began with a chastening 2-0 home defeat to Benfica at San Siro, leaving Ruben Amorim facing mounting questions about the direction of his side.
Dodi Lukebakio gave the visitors the lead after just 17 minutes, cutting inside from the right onto his left foot and curling a precise finish into the bottom-left corner. The Belgian had gone close from a similar position a minute earlier, and Milan's failure to close him down on either occasion set the tone for a deeply disappointing evening.
Jakub Kaminski doubled Benfica's advantage early in the second half after Milan switched off defensively. A blocked shot fell kindly for the visitors, and Kaminski met the cut-back with a first-time strike that left Mike Maignan no chance.
Amorim made five changes from the weekend draw with Lazio, handing starts to Filippo Terracciano, Ardon Jashari, Davide Bartesaghi, Omari Hutchinson and Alphadjo Cisse in what was a notably youthful side. Benfica, who made nine changes of their own, pressed high with six men at times and pushed Milan deep into their own half.
The home side's best chance fell to Koni De Winter early in the second period. With the goal gaping after a Jashari pass found Cisse and the resulting shot was blocked, the centre-back lashed a first-time effort over and wide from close range. It was a pivotal miss — Kaminski punished Milan at the other end moments later.
Christian Pulisic, introduced at half-time along with Mario Gila, came closest for Milan in the second half, forcing two saves from Anatoliy Trubin. Adrien Rabiot, another substitute, thumped a shot narrowly over from 25 yards. But Milan's attacking play lacked cutting edge throughout, with Goncalo Ramos isolated and unable to make an impact against his former club's side.
Sudakov rattled the post for Benfica in the first half after a misplaced Musah pass gifted the visitors a chance, while Trubin was rarely troubled beyond the occasional half-hearted effort.
The boos that greeted the final whistle at San Siro told the story. Milan, who have now lost three of their first five matches of the season, face an uphill battle in a Europa League group they were expected to navigate comfortably. For Amorim, who arrived in summer with considerable fanfare, the patience of the Rossoneri faithful is already being tested.
Sources
- https://sempremilan.com/ac-milan-0-2-benfica-match-report
- https://milanreports.com/2026/09/16/milan-2-benfica-0-the-rossoneri-europa-league-campaign-starts-with-historic-defeat/
