Milan Faces Benfica in Europa League Opener at San Siro

Milan is set to kick off its UEFA Europa League campaign at home against Benfica, marking their first appearance in this competition since the 2020/21 season. After a series of domestic matches, the Rossoneri return to San Siro, where they will look to regain momentum following two consecutive draws in Serie A. Under the management of Ruben Amorim, Milan is eager to secure a victory against a formidable opponent in Benfica, who have been in impressive form.

In their last outing, Milan managed to salvage a 2-2 draw against Lazio after trailing 2-0 at halftime. The standout performer was summer signing Diego Moreira, who came off the bench to score two quick goals, helping the team maintain an unbeaten start to the season with two wins and two draws. However, the team has faced challenges, including a frustrating late equalizer conceded against Juventus, which has left Amorim seeking a more decisive performance in their European opener.

Benfica arrives in Milan riding a wave of confidence, having won their last seven matches across all competitions. Marco Silva's side recently came from behind to defeat Gil Vicente 3-1, showcasing their attacking prowess. As they embark on their first Europa League campaign under the new format, Benfica will be looking to make a strong impression and continue their winning streak.

Historically, Milan has a rich pedigree in European competitions, boasting seven UEFA Champions League titles, yet they have never claimed the Europa League trophy. This fact adds an extra layer of motivation for Amorim, who previously led Manchester United to the Europa League final, only to fall short against Tottenham Hotspur. Starting their European journey at home could provide a significant advantage, as Milan has been unbeaten in their last four UEFA matches at San Siro.

However, there are concerns for Milan as they have struggled to find the net in the first half of their matches this season, with all ten of their goals scored after the hour mark. This trend could be problematic against a Benfica side that has been prolific, scoring 25 goals in their last seven matches, including a dominant 6-2 aggregate victory over Aarhus in the Europa League qualifying playoffs.

In terms of squad news, Milan welcomes back Matteo Gabbia, who has returned to full training, and Amorim will have a fully fit squad to choose from. Both Christian Pulisic and Moreira are expected to start after their impactful performances against Lazio. On the other hand, Benfica will be without Alexander Bah due to injury, which may force Silva to adjust his lineup, potentially bringing in Daniel Banjaqui or Fredrik Aursnes at right-back.

The anticipated lineups for the match are as follows:

Milan (3-4-2-1): Maignan; De Winter, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Chukwueze, Modric, Musah, Moreira; Pulisic, Cisse; Ramos.

Once the Hype Clears

Benfica (4-2-3-1): Soares; Aursnes, Araujo, Lenglet, Dahl; Palhinha, Barreiro; Silva, Prestianni, Schjelderup; Pavlidis.

As Milan prepares for this crucial encounter, the stakes are high. A victory against Benfica would not only boost their confidence but also set the tone for their Europa League campaign. However, given Benfica's current form, securing all three points may prove to be a challenging task. A high-scoring draw seems a plausible outcome as both teams look to assert their dominance in this exciting European clash.