Benfica Stun Milan with 2-0 Away Victory in Europa League Opener
AM730 · 2 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
AC Milan slumped to a disappointing 2-0 home defeat against Benfica in their opening Europa League league phase match on September 17, 2026, at the San Siro. Dodi Lukebakio opened the scoring in the 16th minute before Jakub Kaminski doubled the lead eight minutes after halftime. The result marked the first loss of the season for new manager Ruben Amorim, who had previously guided Manchester United, as Milan's inconsistent run continued following consecutive Serie A draws against Juventus and Lazio.
Key Points
- Milan controlled 60% possession and generated an expected goals (xG) value of 1.03, yet managed only 4 shots on target from 17 attempts
- Benfica, despite an xG of just 0.63, capitalized on their chances with Lukebakio and Kaminski finding the net
- Amorim, who spent most of his playing career at Benfica, received a commemorative jersey from opposing president and former Milan legend Rui Costa before kickoff
- In other Europa League results, Sunderland claimed a 1-0 home win over AZ Alkmaar via a penalty, while Celta Vigo suffered a shocking 0-1 defeat to Cyprus side Omonia
- Other notable results included Lyon beating Anderlecht 2-1, Bayer Leverkusen defeating Sturm Graz 2-0, and Olympiacos edging Piast Gliwice 2-1
Why It Matters
The defeat raises questions about Amorim's tactical switch to a three-man defense, which worked well in Portugal but has struggled to translate at Milan . This result could impact Serie A's coefficient ranking as Italian clubs battle for Europa League qualification spots, while also highlighting Benfica's exceptional attacking form with 21 goals in six Primeira Liga matches this season .
The defeat raises questions about Amorim's tactical switch to a three-man defense, which worked well in Portugal but has struggled to translate at Milan . This result could impact Serie A's coefficient ranking as Italian clubs battle for Europa League qualification spots, while also highlighting Benfica's exceptional attacking form with 21 goals in six Primeira Liga matches this season .