Milan’s European evening against Benfica became another warning in a season that is already testing Ruben Amorim’s authority. Defeat at San Siro brought whistles at half-time and again at full-time, with the home side unable to find either a goal or a convincing route through a composed Benfica team.
Milan’s European setback against Benfica
SEO Title: Milan beaten by Benfica as pressure grows on Ruben Amorim
SEO Description: Benfica’s win at San Siro exposed Milan’s attacking struggles, while Ruben Amorim faced renewed criticism over his selection and frequent changes.
Benfica arrived in Milan in excellent condition and left with their first victory at the Meazza. Marco Silva’s side extended its winning run to eight matches across league and cup competitions, scoring 27 goals and conceding only four during that sequence.
The Portuguese visitors were described as well organised, with control across the wide areas and purpose in their forward passing. Dodi Lukebakio and Kaminski supplied individual quality, while João Palhinha made his presence felt throughout the match. Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, El Karouani, Araujo and Circati also played important roles, and Sudakov struck the post.
Amorim’s selection under scrutiny
- Four days before the Benfica match, Milan had recovered to draw 2-2 with Lazio after an encouraging second half in Rome.
- That performance had offered Amorim a possible starting point, yet he made five changes to his XI for the European fixture.
- Rabiot, Modric, Moreira, Pulisic and Gila were all left out from the start, despite Moreira’s contribution against Lazio and the need for greater composure in possession.
- Without Modric’s ability to shape the game, Milan struggled to establish rhythm or create sustained pressure against Benfica.
Before the match, Amorim had acknowledged the question surrounding his squad’s suitability for his preferred approach. “It is partly true that I do not have the players for my system,” he said. “But if I am going to fail, it is better to fail in a big way.”
Those words now carry greater weight. This was only Milan’s fifth fixture in 24 days, making the scale of the rotation harder to understand after the response shown against Lazio. The supporters’ reaction suggested that patience is beginning to thin.
A familiar attacking problem
Milan have now gone five consecutive matches without scoring in the first half. Against Benfica, the problem lasted all evening: they failed to score after the interval as well.
Ramos received little useful service and repeatedly had to retreat towards midfield in search of playable passes. Chukwueze was left isolated, while Musah and Hutchinson were unable to impose themselves. De Winter missed an opportunity that might, perhaps, have reopened the contest.
There was too little invention and too little collective force from a Milan side that looked disconnected. Benfica, by contrast, brought clarity to their work and the confidence of a team in a strong run of form.
A difficult chapter for Milan
Amorim succeeded Massimiliano Allegri with the task of giving Milan a recognisable direction. Instead, his repeated changes of personnel and the uncertain balance of his selections have become a central issue.
The Europa League campaign is not beyond repair, but Milan cannot allow a European ambition to turn into a source of deeper instability. San Siro has made its dissatisfaction clear; the next response must come from the coach and his players.
