Benfica ended a 63-year wait for an official victory at San Siro on Wednesday, defeating AC Milan 2-0 in the opening round of the Europa League's new single-group phase. The result is a statement: Marco Silva's heavily rotated squad outclassed Ruben Amorim's AC Milan in what Italian outlets are already calling a "tempest" for the Rossoneri.
Why This Matters
• Historic Milestone: This was Benfica's first-ever official win against AC Milan at San Siro, breaking a drought dating back to the 1963 and 1990 European Cup finals.
• Effective Rotation: Nine changes were made to the starting lineup, proving the squad depth Marco Silva will rely on for domestic and European campaigns.
• Player Valuation Vindicated: Jakub Kaminski, signed for €17M, finally delivered with a goal and assist, while Souffian El Karouani made a standout debut.
• Tactical Concern for Amorim: Ruben Amorim's AC Milan showed little creativity, raising early questions about his setup at a club facing intense pressure.
Marco Silva's Gamble That Paid Off
The Portuguese manager arrived in Milan knowing that his starting eleven would barely resemble the one that had navigated the qualification rounds. The World Cup 2026, which concluded in July, meant that Benfica's international players returned late to preseason, forcing Marco Silva to get creative.
He trusted the players who had been training since day one. The backline featured Tomás Araújo and Daniel Banjaqui as the only survivors from the previous match. In attack, Jakub Kaminski and Dodi Lukebakio got their chance — and they took it with both hands.
The opening goal, coming as early as the 16th minute, was a product of that very faith. Kaminski drove forward from the left, found space, and laid the ball off to Belgium international Dodi Lukebakio. His left-footed strike from outside the box found the bottom corner, leaving Mike Maignan rooted to the spot. It was a goal that rewarded verticality over possession.
Kaminski's Redemption Story
The Poland international, who joined Benfica in July 2026 for a significant fee, had a rocky start to his career in Portugal. Fans were quick to label him a discard after some uninspiring early performances. But on Wednesday, operating without the pressure of the sidelined World Cup stars, Kaminski finally showed why the club invested in him.
In the second half, he turned from provider to finisher. A thwarted attack was recycled back to him, and with calm that belied his recent struggles, he slotted the ball into the top corner to make it 2-0. One goal, one assist, and a clean sheet later, Kaminski left the pitch having silenced his early critics.
The assist for the second goal came from another new face: Souffian El Karouani. The Moroccan right-back, making his first start for Benfica after just 12 minutes of prior action, looked entirely at home in one of football's most intimidating arenas. He neutralized the threat of Samuel Chukwueze down his flank and provided crucial impetus going forward.
What This Means for Benfica's Season
For those living in Portugal and following Benfica, this result offers more than bragging rights. It offers reassurance. The club is competing on multiple fronts — the Champions League playoff push, domestic competitions, and now the Europa League group stage — and the ability to rotate nine players and still beat a historic club like AC Milan away is a luxury few managers have.
Up next, Benfica faces Celtic, Omonia, Lech Poznán, Plzen, OFI Crete, NEC Nijmegen, and AZ Alkmaar in the league phase. The favorable fixture list, combined with proven squad depth, positions the club well for a deep run in the competition.
Amorim's Uncomfortable Echoes
For AC Milan boss Ruben Amorim, a former Benfica player and one of Portugal's most revered modern coaches, the night was a contradiction. He was facing the club of his heart, but he was also confronting some uncomfortable patterns.
His team flattered to deceive. Possession was dominated, but penetration was absent. Gonçalo Ramos, returning to face his boyhood club, was anonymous throughout. The striker's movement was stifled, and his influence on the game was negligible. It continues a difficult start to life at AC Milan for the forward who arrived from Paris Saint-Germain.
After the match, Amorim did not hide his frustration. "As soon as we conceded, we never found ourselves," he admitted. "The team got very anxious playing at home, wanting to do everything very fast. Benfica was always comfortable, waiting for our mistake."
The Portuguese coach, who lasted just 14 months at Manchester United, is now under early scrutiny. The Italian press described the performance as a "tempest," and with fixtures against Salzburgo, Bournemouth, Ferencváros, Olympiacos, Sunderland, Levski, and Ararat-Armenia still to come, he needs to find answers quickly.
A Broader Portuguese Footprint
The evening was a mixed bag for Portuguese football's global footprint. While Benfica triumphed, Paulo Fonseca's Olympique Lyon began their campaign with a 2-1 win away to Anderlecht, managed by fellow Portuguese coach Vítor Bruno. In Spain, however, a brutal headline: Ruben Amorim's AC Milan was "sunk" by Benfica. The contrast between Benfica's clinical display and the ponderousness of Amorim's side could not have been starker.
For supporters in Portugal, the narrative is now set: Benfica has the depth, the manager has the Midas touch with his fringe players, and the Europa League campaign is off to a dream start. For Amorim, the rebuilding of his reputation takes another hit, and San Siro, once a stadium of painful finals, has finally seen a Benfica celebration.
