Europa League Challenge Ahead
AC Milan is gearing up for their Europa League campaign, with their first match scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2026, against Benfica. This fixture marks a significant moment for coach Ruben Amorim, as it will be his first European tie at the helm for Milan [1]. Amorim’s return to coaching was reportedly influenced by AC Milan’s owners, who convinced him to take on the role earlier than anticipated [2]. The team will be looking to start their European journey on a strong note, especially after a mixed start to their domestic league season. The match will be officiated by Jarred Gillet, making his debut in the league phase of a UEFA competition [1]. Adding to the atmosphere, club legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic has returned to Milanello after a six-month absence and is expected to be in the stands at San Siro for the Benfica clash [3].
Squad Dynamics and Key Players
Recent matches have provided insights into AC Milan’s squad dynamics. Luka Modrić, despite not starting in the recent 2-2 draw against Lazio, remains a highly valued figure within the squad, with his performance not judged solely on a single game [2]. Young talent Diego Moreira has been a standout, coming off the bench to score twice in the Lazio match and earning praise for his performance [4]. Yunus Musah has also established himself as a starter for the team [2]. Gonçalo Ramos, who previously played for Benfica, is expected to play a crucial role and is keen to score against his former club, though he has stated he will not celebrate if he does [5]. Coach Amorim has emphasized the importance of squad depth for competing across multiple competitions, suggesting a flexible approach to team selection [6].
Recent Form and Tactical Considerations
AC Milan’s recent Serie A form has seen them in sixth place after four matchdays. Their last league outing saw them stage a remarkable comeback from a 2-0 deficit against Lazio to secure a 2-2 draw [2]. This resilience, particularly in the second half, highlights the team’s fighting spirit. However, the need for consistent performance across the full 90 minutes will be a focus for Amorim. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Pervis Estupiñán were both substituted at half-time in the Lazio game, indicating tactical adjustments or performance concerns [6]. Amorim has stated that he does not set minimum targets for the team, instead asserting that Milan must always aim to win [2]. This philosophy will likely guide their approach to the Europa League, where they will face a strong Benfica side.
What it means
AC Milan currently sits in 6th place in Serie A with 8 points from four matches, having secured two wins and two draws, scoring 7 goals and conceding 4. Their recent form shows a pattern of draws, with 2-2 against Lazio and 1-1 against Juventus, following two earlier wins against Venezia (2-0) and Torino (2-1). This suggests a team that can find results but might be struggling to close out games, as evidenced by the comeback draw against Lazio. The upcoming Europa League fixture against Benfica on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, will be a significant test of their European ambitions. Following this, they return to domestic action with a home fixture against Lecce on September 20, for which the site’s forecast will be available 24 hours before kick-off. The mixed form indicates a need for greater consistency, especially in maintaining leads and converting opportunities.
Sources
- Football Italia: English refereeing line-up confirmed for Milan vs. Benfica Europa League clash football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Amorim: ‘No minimum targets, Milan have to win, can’t rely on just 14 players’ football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Ibrahimovic returns to Milan training centre six months after Allegri clash football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Milan defender Gila: ‘An honour to play with and learn from Modric’ football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Ramos: ‘I definitely want to score against Benfica, but I won’t celebrate’ football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Amorim: ‘Who would’ve thought Musah would start and Modric would be the problem?’ football-italia.net ↩
