Match Information

Sport: Football

Match: AC Milan vs Benfica

Tournament: UEFA Europa League 2026/27 – League Phase Matchday 1

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Kick-off: 9:00 PM CEST

Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro), Milan, Italy

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AC Milan host Benfica at San Siro on Wednesday as two former European champions begin their 2026/27 Europa League campaigns. Ruben Amorim’s Milan are still searching for consistency in Serie A, while Benfica arrive with dangerous attacking form and enough European experience to make this a demanding opening night. There’s another storyline too. Gonçalo Ramos could face his former club, adding a personal edge to a fixture already packed with European pedigree. Two clubs accustomed to bigger stages now begin the same mission. Go deep. And try to win it.

Form, Trends, Key Facts, Stats & Team News

Neither club expected European football this season to begin in the Europa League. But that immediately changes the expectations surrounding their campaigns.

Milan and Benfica should both view themselves as capable of challenging deep into the competition, making three points against another potential contender particularly valuable on Matchday 1.

For Milan, San Siro provides the ideal place to start. Amorim’s side have shown promise without completely finding their rhythm domestically, and Wednesday provides a different type of test. Benfica are unlikely to spend the evening sitting deep and protecting their penalty area. The Portuguese side arrive with strong attacking form and enough technical quality to cause Milan problems when they play through the first press.

That could make midfield control crucial. Luka Modrić offers Milan the experience and passing range to dictate the tempo, particularly if Benfica attempt to turn the match into a faster, more open contest. Further forward, Gonçalo Ramos brings an intriguing subplot. The former Benfica striker knows the opposition well and offers Milan a focal point capable of occupying centre-backs, linking attacks and providing a penalty-area threat. Better news comes at the back, where Mattia Gabbia and Mario Gila are available following recent fitness concerns.

Benfica travel to Italy with fewer major availability problems. Alexander Bah is ruled out with a shoulder injury, but the Portuguese side retain most of their attacking core. Vangelis Pavlidis provides a direct goalscoring threat, while Rafa Silva offers movement and creativity around the final third.

That attacking quality is important because Benfica may find opportunities. Milan have home advantage, but they are unlikely to control every phase against a side comfortable playing proactive football. If Amorim asks his team to push numbers forward, Benfica have the technical ability to attack the spaces left behind. Equally, Benfica cannot afford to become too adventurous.

San Siro remains a difficult place to defend for long periods, and Milan have enough midfield and attacking quality to punish mistakes. That balance makes this one of Matchday 1's more intriguing tactical contests. Neither side is built simply to survive. Both will believe they can win.

Key Facts

• 🏆 AC Milan and Benfica are former European champions beginning new Europa League campaigns.

• 🏟️ Milan have the advantage of opening the league phase at San Siro.

• 🔥 Benfica arrive with strong recent attacking form.

• 👔 Ruben Amorim faces Portuguese opposition in his first Europa League league-phase fixture of the season.

• 🔄 Gonçalo Ramos could face former club Benfica.

• ✅ Mattia Gabbia and Mario Gila are available for Milan after recent concerns.

• ❌ Benfica are without Alexander Bah.

• 🎯 Vangelis Pavlidis and Rafa Silva give the visitors considerable attacking threat.

• 📊 Both clubs enter the competition with realistic ambitions of making a deep Europa League run.

Pro Tip Before You Start

Milan's home advantage makes them difficult to oppose, but Benfica's attacking form and relatively healthy squad suggest the visitors can create chances of their own. With both teams possessing quality in the final third and neither likely to approach Matchday 1 passively, backing goals at both ends offers an attractive route.

👉 Expert Tip: Both Teams To Score – Yes (1.58)

Alternative Markets

• AC Milan Double Chance (1.34)

• Over 2.5 Goals (1.74)

• AC Milan Over 1.5 Team Goals (2.04)

• Gonçalo Ramos Anytime Goalscorer (2.45)

Milan have San Siro. Benfica have the firepower to challenge them. Two European heavyweights. One opening-night opportunity to make an early statement.

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