AC Milan opened their 2026–27 UEFA Europa League campaign with a 0-2 defeat against Benfica at the San Siro on Thursday, September 17, 2026. Goals from Dodi Lukebakio and Jakub Kaminski condemned the Rossoneri to their first loss of the season, exposing severe defensive frailties and a lack of cutting edge in the final third. The opening matchday result under the lights in Milan left supporters and analysts dissecting individual performances across the pitch.
Defensive Struggles Undermine Milan’s Opening Night
Benfica seized control early under the San Siro lights, capitalizing on sloppy defending from the hosts. According to match reports, Benfica could easily have added to their tally during a lopsided first half before sitting back to protect their advantage after the break. Milan’s backline proved unable to cope with the visitors’ movement, leaving head coach Rúben Amorim facing intense scrutiny over his team’s structural stability and concentration issues.
Goalkeeper and Defensive Ratings
Goalkeeper Mike Maignan emerged from the defeat with credit, earning a 6 rating from observers who noted that he was completely abandoned by his defensive teammates while performing well in distribution and proactive sweeping. Filippo Terracciano struggled on the night, earning a 5 after misjudging an early ball that nearly handed Benfica a one-on-one opportunity just two minutes into the contest. Koni De Winter also finished with a 5, hampered by a missed scoring chance in the second half and shaky buildup play. Strahinja Pavlovic picked up an early yellow card for a tactical foul, receiving a 5 for a clumsy evening in which he drove forward with little end product and was beaten repeatedly. Filippo Bartesaghi earned a 5.5 for supplying a dangerous low cross that went unconverted, though he failed to track Dodi Lukebakio’s run on the opening goal.
Midfield Distribution and Energy
Ardon Jashari turned in a 6 performance, distributing play effectively with long switches and registering a long-range shot, though his rating dipped slightly due to a failure to close down space on Benfica’s opener. Yunus Musah collected a 5.5, praised for his high energy and ball-recovery work but criticized for dangerous giveaways in possession. Meanwhile, substitute Adrien Rabiot injected a 6-rated dynamic into the midfield late in the match, using his willingness to penetrate the penalty box to vary Milan’s attacking approach.
Attacking Frustrations and Gonçalo Ramos’ Performance
Gonçalo Ramos endured a difficult outing, drawing a 5 rating for failing to influence the game or convert Bartesaghi’s low cross. Samuel Chukwueze (6) and Ben Doak Hutchinson (6) showed flashes of individual skill and active movement in the final third when Milan’s attack stalled, though both lacked consistent end product. Late substitutes Christian Pulisic and Alexis Saelemaekers provided the highest-rated displays for the Rossoneri, each earning a 6.5. Saelemaekers pushed for man-of-the-match consideration by creating immediate danger with his pace against tired legs, while Pulisic tested the Benfica goalkeeper with sharp shots from the edge of the box immediately after coming on.
What Lies Ahead for the Rossoneri
Milan must quickly address their defensive vulnerabilities and offensive stagnation before their next fixture in domestic and European competition. With pressure mounting on the coaching staff following a disjointed start to the autumn schedule, the squad returns to training to prepare for upcoming Serie A and Europa League challenges.
