AC Mailand, accustomed to competing in the UEFA Champions League, found themselves a class below and stumbled immediately in the opening fixture. According to match reports, former star Luka Modric watched the entire 90 minutes from the substitutes’ bench as the Rossoneri failed to generate meaningful offensive momentum against a disciplined Benfica side.
Lukebakio opened the scoring in the 16th minute, before Kaminski doubled the advantage in the 53rd minute. According to schedule records, Milan will travel to face RB Salzburg on October 15, followed by an away fixture against the AFC Bournemouth side managed by German coach Marco Rose on October 22.
AFC Sunderland Marks Historic Return With Victory
While AC Mailand faltered at home, the AFC Sunderland side celebrated a triumphant return to European competition.
Enzo Le Fee secured the decisive goal in the 66th minute, converting a penalty kick to put the home side ahead. The Sunderland lineup featured former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka, who helped anchor the English side through a tense second half to preserve the clean sheet and secure three points on opening night.
Olympique Lyon Edges RSC Anderlecht
In another notable fixture from the opening round of the Europa League, Olympique Lyon built an early foundation away from home to defeat RSC Anderlecht 2–1, as detailed by n-tv reports. Noah Nartey opened the scoring for the French visitors in the 8th minute, and teammate Keito Nakamura added a second goal in the 22nd minute.
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Anderlecht attempted a comeback when Mihajlo Cvetkovic found the net in the 61st minute to narrow the deficit, but Lyon’s defense held firm through the remainder of the second half to claim the away victory.
Additional European Results
Elsewhere in the opening league phase fixtures, Sturm Graz played to a 0–0 draw at home against Stade Rennes. Meanwhile, Olympiakos Piräus orchestrated a dramatic comeback against Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok, overcoming an early deficit to win 2–1 thanks to an 84th-minute winner.
As the league phase unfolds, clubs across the continent prepare for the second round of fixtures scheduled for mid-October.
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