AC Milan faced a disappointing opening match in the 2026-27 Europa League, suffering a 0-2 defeat against Benfica at the iconic San Siro on September 17, 2026. The Rossoneri’s hopes were dashed as Dodi Lukebakio and Jakub Kaminski netted goals for the visitors, exploiting Milan’s defensive shortcomings, while the home side struggled to generate consistent scoring opportunities.
Defensive Struggles for AC Milan
The central issue for Milan was their defensive performance, which proved inadequate against Benfica’s well-coordinated attacks. The hosts seemed vulnerable at the back, leading to two crucial goals. Despite having 16 players on the field, it was Christian Pulisic and Alexis Saelemaekers who stood out, coming off the bench and injecting some much-needed energy, albeit too late to sway the match’s outcome.
In goal, Mike Maignan received a rating of 6. While he cannot be blamed for the two goals conceded, as he was left exposed by his defenders, he still demonstrated solid distribution skills and frequently ventured off his line at pivotal moments.
Defenders Marco Terracciano, Ludovic De Winter, and Strahinja Pavlovic each earned a rating of 5, with Terracciano notably making an early mistake that compromised the team’s stability. Although De Winter had a chance in the second half, his overall defensive contribution was lacking, and Pavlovic received a yellow card for an early tactical foul, further complicating matters.
Left-back Alessandro Bartesaghi fared slightly better with a 5.5 as he registered a low cross nearly creating a chance for Santiago Gimenez. However, he ultimately failed to cut off Lukebakio’s run leading up to Benfica’s first goal.
Midfield and Forward Ratings
In the midfield, Ardon Jashari was rated at 6, showcasing activity in ball distribution with changes in play and long passes. He also attempted a long-range shot but failed to close down effectively during Benfica’s first goal. His partner, Yunus Musah, was slightly lower rated at 5.5, as his energy in regaining possession was overshadowed by several risky passing errors and a less impressive presence on the ball.
Regarding the attacking front, Samuel Chukwueze scored a 6 for displaying individual skill late in the first half with one good cross, though his defensive efforts were inconsistent. Jaden Hutchinson also received a 6 for his active pursuit of space and attempts to alter the game’s flow despite a lack of final product.
On the other hand, Ibrahima Cisse was rated at 5.5 after showing promise in creating chances but could not capitalize on them. He frequently struggled in one-on-one situations against Benfica’s defensive players. The low point for Milan in attack came from Ramos, who managed only a 5 as he struggled to make an impact on the game and missed a chance created by Bartesaghi’s cross.
The substitutes for AC Milan had mixed performances. Luca Gila, who came on as a substitute, garnered a score of 5.5, being a slight improvement over the starting lineup but faltering with a critical error leading to Benfica’s second goal. Christian Pulisic made a substantial contribution after entering, earning a 6.5 as he quickly became a threat, taking notable shots including a well-placed effort from outside the box that was saved. Saelemaekers matched Pulisic’s rating at 6.5, becoming the most active substitute in generating chances and giving Benfica’s defense something to worry about.
Finally, Moreira and Adrien Rabiot both scored 5.5 and 6 respectively, with Rabiot standing out for his boldness in penetrating the box, thus adding variety to Milan’s attacking maneuvers.
Final Player Ratings Summary
Goalkeeper: Maignan (6)
Defenders: Terracciano (5), De Winter (5), Pavlovic (5), Bartesaghi (5.5)
Midfielders: Jashari (6), Musah (5.5), Rabiot (6)
Forwards: Chukwueze (6), Hutchinson (6), Cisse (5.5), Ramos (5)
Substitutes: Gila (5.5), Pulisic (6.5), Moreira (5.5), Saelemaekers (6.5)
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