UEFA Europa League Preview: Milan vs Benfica – Team News, Lineups & Prediction | OneFootball

Milan kick off their first UEFA Europa League campaign since 2020/21 at home to high-flying Primeira Liga giants Benfica on Wednesday. Back at San Siro after consecutive domestic trips, Ruben Amorim’s charges will be keen to return to winning ways following back-to-back Serie A draws.

Summer signing Diego Moreira stole the spotlight on Saturday as Milan fought back from a 2-0 halftime deficit to hold Lazio to a dramatic 2-2 draw at the Olimpico. The Belgian star, who replaced Pervis Estupinan at the start of the second half, notched up a quick-fire brace to help the Rossoneri maintain their unbeaten start under Amorim (W2, D2).

Before avoiding defeat in Italy’s capital, Milan suffered a late heartbreak in a mouth-watering showdown against arch-rivals Juventus, conceding a stoppage-time equalizer in a 1-1 stalemate in Turin. As such, Amorim, who’s about to face a familiar rival in his first European fixture in charge of the Rossoneri, has set his sights on a more favorable outcome this time around.

That could prove easier said than done, especially given Benfica’s red-hot streak in the build-up to this clash. Marco Silva’s side overturned an early deficit to beat Gil Vicente 3-1 at home last weekend, extending their winning run in all competitions to seven matches. On that basis, they’re expected to take this trip in high spirits, seeking a winning start to their maiden Europa League appearance under the new format.

Match Preview

Milan

Despite boasting an impressive seven UEFA Champions League titles, Milan have never won this competition, which could be an added incentive for Amorim to pursue the trophy that eluded him in 2024/25. Indeed, the former Sporting CP manager led Manchester United to the Europa League final, only for Tottenham Hotspur to deny him a piece of continental glory in an all-English showpiece.

Starting their European journey at home could provide a perfect backdrop, as Milan are unbeaten across their last four UEFA outings at San Siro (W3, D1). Connoisseurs of action-packed football will look forward to the Rossoneri’s return to Europe, not least because seven of their last ten continental fixtures saw both teams on the scoresheet, highlighting the potential for an open-ended contest.

However, there’s a worrying trend Milan will be keen to buck on Wednesday. Perhaps surprisingly, the 19-time Italian champions have failed to score before halftime in each of their four competitive games under Amorim. Therefore, it’s not difficult to fathom how ten of their last 12 goals scored in all competitions came after the hour mark.

Benfica

If there’s a team capable of taking advantage of Milan’s clumsy first-half showings, it’s this relentless Benfica side. The Eagles have been in an unforgiving mood this term, netting an intimidating 25 goals across seven consecutive victories, including a landslide 6-2 aggregate triumph over Danish outfit Aarhus in the Europa League qualifying playoffs.

Silva’s men have started their Europa League adventure in the second qualifying round against Swiss side St Gallen before overcoming Hearts in round three. Yet, Benfica’s mixed results across three away legs in the qualifying campaign (W1, D1, L1) paint a potentially bleak picture for the two-time European champions ahead of their first meeting with Milan since 2007.

History doesn’t favor Benfica here either. In addition to losing both encounters against Milan in the European Cup/Champions League finals, the Eagles have gone winless in all six competitive matches against the Rossoneri (D2, L4). On the bright side, they’ve been firing on all cylinders of late, scoring at least three goals in eight of their last 11 competitive games.

Team News

With Matteo Gabbia back to full training after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Amorim will have his entire Milan squad fit and ready for their Europa League opener. After a superb second-half performance against Lazio, both Christian Pulisic and Moreira are in line for their maiden competitive starts of the season, while Gabbia could take Mario Gila’s place in defense.

As for Benfica, Alexander Bah remains on the treatment table with a shoulder injury, meaning either Daniel Banjaqui or Fredrik Aursnes is likely to start at right-back. All eyes will be on free-firing striker Vangelis Pavlidis, who bagged six goals throughout qualifying, with Andreas Schjelderup and Gianluca Prestianni expected to start on the wings.

Milan vs Benfica Potential Starting 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.

Milan vs Benfica Prediction

There’s little doubt that Milan will be desperate to impress on their European return, but taking three points against this top-performing Benfica side could prove a tall order. Instead, a high-scoring draw could be on the cards.