Milan defeated 2-0 by Benfica at San Siro on the first day of the Europa League

Milan defeated 2-0 by Benfica at San Siro

THE NEWS on the first day of the Europa League championship phase

THE GOALS

In the 53rd minute Milan-BENFICA 0-2. Kaminski doubles for the Portuguese. Incredible goal. The three Milan defenders remain immobile, leaving the Pole plenty of time to shoot at goal.

At 16' Milan-Benfica 0-1- Dodi Lukébakio's goal. The Portuguese take the lead with Kaminski finding Lukébakio on the left: the Belgian centers himself and unleashes a left-footed shot that is unstoppable for Maignan. However, a bad mistake from Bartesaghi who follows the Belgian, but never counters him and everything becomes easy for Lukébakio to find the goal to make it 1-0.

THE MATCH

A bad Milan returns to Europe after 574 days and suffers a defeat against Benfica at the Meazza, where the Portuguese manage to beat the Rossoneri for the first time in their history. A goal in each half from the Portuguese side, while there is little to report from Milan. Bad approach, widespread errors that bring the goals conceded to six in five games. Before the match, Amorim perfectly explains his philosophy of the game and perhaps of life: "If I have to fail, it's better that I fail big."

He is probably guided by this belief when choosing the starting eleven. Confirms the rumors from the day before, opts for a very large turnover. There are no Pulisic, Modric, Rabiot, Gila and Moreira. Hutchinson makes his debut from the 1st minute alongside Cisse, a chance for Jashari, while in defense there is Terracciano who hasn't played since 29 December 2024. Madness or a touch of genius? Given the Rossoneri's performance, Amorim's experiments inexorably complicate an already difficult match. In the 15th minute Benfica's first shot on target arrives, kicked by Lukébakio but too slow and central to worry Maignan. But it's just a dress rehearsal, because a few moments later Lukébakio from the right, keeps the ball, avoids Bartesaghi's marking and then kicks into the corner and breaks the deadlock. A good goal and Milan getting depressed. There is no rhythm in the Rossoneri's game, there is no initiative. The team seems lost. There is a lack of personality in the starting eleven. Hutchinson tries a few dribbles, but there is no point of reference on the pitch. The risks continue for Milan, in the 24th minute Jashari loses the ball and Sudakov scares San Siro by hitting the post. Also in this case, as in the goal, the Benfica players kick undisturbed. At the end of the first half there were some Rossoneri attempts, but nothing truly dangerous.

It's clear that we need to take action. San Siro also made it clear with a few whistles at half-time. Amorim reverses and at the beginning of the second half recalls Terracciano and Hutchinson for Gila and Pulisic. A reaction can be seen, but the good opportunity created in the 5th minute is thwarted by a careless shot from De Winter. Benfica, on the other hand, makes no mistakes. In the 8th minute Kaminski doubles the lead by kicking into the air while five Rossoneri players stare at him immobile. A surprising situation, a blackout that Milan already down by a goal could not afford. Amorim runs further for cover, throws Saelemaekers and Moreira into the fray, then also Rabiot. Modric remains on the bench and never warms up. "I have to make rotations, especially with a 40-year-old player," Amorim explained before the match.

But whoever takes the field in his place certainly doesn't shine. With the changes, Milan changed their attitude and appeared on Trubin's side several times, but called him into question on few occasions. It's Pulisic who soils his gloves, especially in the 36th minute when he saves from a dive. It ends with Milan's first defeat under Amorim's guidance, with the feeling that the coach has snubbed the Rossoneri's return to Europe by focusing on Sunday's match against Lecce. An inexplicable decision, knowing the club's history and attitude. And San Siro responds with whistles.