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Benfica secured a historic victory at San Siro, defeating AC Milan 2-0 on the opening night of the Europa League group stage. Goals from Dodi Lukébakio and Jakub Kaminski paved the way for the Lisbon side’s first ever win at the iconic venue.
AC Milan, a club with seven European Cup titles to their name, entered the match as one of the favorites to lift the Europa League trophy this season. Despite their rich history in Europe’s premier competition, the Rossoneri have never won the continent’s second-tier tournament. Under the guidance of new head coach Rúben Amorim, Milan have also enjoyed a strong start domestically, remaining unbeaten in Serie A with two wins and two draws, currently sitting sixth in the league.
Benfica’s European Challenge
Benfica, on the other hand, have been chasing continental glory for decades. Their last European trophy dates back to 1962, and since then, the club has reached three Europa League or UEFA Cup finals but fell short each time. Led by coach Marco Silva, Benfica have demonstrated solid form in the Portuguese league, holding second place with 16 points from a possible 18.
The match itself saw Milan struggle to break through Benfica’s defense, with the visitors capitalizing on their opportunities. Despite late efforts from AC Milan – including a header from Strahinja Pavlovic and a blocked shot by Mario Gila – the home side was unable to find the net. Benfica’s defensive resilience and clinical finishing ensured they left Milan’s stadium with a well-earned victory.
The final whistle confirmed the scoreline: AC Milan 0, Benfica 2, marking a memorable night for the Portuguese club as they set the tone for their Europa League campaign.
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