Milan kick off their first UEFA Europa League marketing campaign since 2020/21 at residence to high-flying Primeira Liga giants Benfica on Wednesday. Again at San Siro after consecutive home journeys, Ruben Amorim’s fees might be eager to return to successful methods following back-to-back Serie A attracts.
Summer season signing Diego Moreira stole the highlight on Saturday as Milan fought again from a 2-0 halftime deficit to carry Lazio to a dramatic 2-2 draw on the Olimpico. The Belgian star, who changed Pervis Estupinan initially of the second half, notched up a quick-fire brace to assist the Rossoneri preserve their unbeaten begin underneath Amorim (W2, D2).
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Earlier than avoiding defeat in Italy’s capital, Milan suffered a late heartbreak in a mouth-watering showdown in opposition to arch-rivals Juventus, conceding a stoppage-time equalizer in a 1-1 stalemate in Turin. As such, Amorim, who’s about to face a well-known rival in his first European fixture answerable for the Rossoneri, has set his sights on a extra favorable end result this time round.
That would show simpler mentioned than carried out, particularly given Benfica’s red-hot streak within the build-up to this conflict. Marco Silva’s facet overturned an early deficit to beat Gil Vicente 3-1 at residence final weekend, extending their successful run in all competitions to seven matches. On that foundation, they’re anticipated to take this journey in excessive spirits, looking for a successful begin to their maiden Europa League look underneath the brand new format.
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Match Preview
Milan
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Regardless of boasting a formidable seven UEFA Champions League titles, Milan have by no means received this competitors, which could possibly be an added incentive for Amorim to pursue the trophy that eluded him in 2024/25. Certainly, the previous Sporting CP supervisor led Manchester United to the Europa League ultimate, just for Tottenham Hotspur to disclaim him a chunk of continental glory in an all-English showpiece.
Beginning their European journey at residence may present an ideal backdrop, as Milan are unbeaten throughout their final 4 UEFA outings at San Siro (W3, D1). Connoisseurs of action-packed soccer will stay up for the Rossoneri’s return to Europe, not least as a result of seven of their final ten continental fixtures noticed each groups on the scoresheet, highlighting the potential for an open-ended contest.
Nonetheless, there is a worrying pattern Milan might be eager to buck on Wednesday. Maybe surprisingly, the 19-time Italian champions have failed to attain earlier than halftime in every of their 4 aggressive video games underneath Amorim. Due to this fact, it is not troublesome to fathom how ten of their final 12 targets scored in all competitions got here after the hour mark.
Benfica
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If there is a staff able to benefiting from Milan’s clumsy first-half showings, it is this relentless Benfica facet. The Eagles have been in an unforgiving temper this time period, netting an intimidating 25 targets throughout seven consecutive victories, together with a landslide 6-2 mixture conquer Danish outfit Aarhus within the Europa League qualifying playoffs.
Silva’s males have began their Europa League journey within the second qualifying spherical in opposition to Swiss facet St Gallen earlier than overcoming Hearts in spherical three. But, Benfica’s combined outcomes throughout three away legs within the qualifying marketing campaign (W1, D1, L1) paint a probably bleak image for the two-time European champions forward of their first assembly with Milan since 2007.
Historical past would not favor Benfica right here both. Along with shedding each encounters in opposition to Milan within the European Cup/Champions League finals, the Eagles have gone winless in all six aggressive matches in opposition to the Rossoneri (D2, L4). On the brilliant facet, they have been firing on all cylinders of late, scoring a minimum of three targets in eight of their final 11 aggressive video games.
Crew Information
With Matteo Gabbia again to full coaching after a prolonged spell on the sidelines, Amorim can have his complete Milan squad match and prepared for his or her Europa League opener. After an outstanding second-half efficiency in opposition to Lazio, each Christian Pulisic and Moreira are in line for his or her maiden aggressive begins of the season, whereas Gabbia may take Mario Gila’s place in protection.
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As for Benfica, Alexander Bah stays on the remedy desk with a shoulder damage, which means both Daniel Banjaqui or Fredrik Aursnes is more likely to begin at right-back. All eyes might be on free-firing striker Vangelis Pavlidis, who bagged six targets all through qualifying, with Andreas Schjelderup and Gianluca Prestianni anticipated to begin on the wings.
Milan vs Benfica Potential Beginning Lineups
Milan (3-4-2-1): Maignan; De Winter, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Chukwueze, Modric, Musah, Moreira; Pulisic, Cisse; Ramos.
Benfica (4-2-3-1): Soares; Aursnes, Araujo, Lenglet, Dahl; Palhinha, Barreiro; Silva, Prestianni, Schjelderup; Pavlidis.
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Milan vs Benfica Prediction
There’s little doubt that Milan might be determined to impress on their European return, however taking three factors in opposition to this top-performing Benfica facet may show a tall order. As an alternative, a high-scoring draw could possibly be on the playing cards.
