AC Milan vs Benfica Europa League Clash: Team Updates, Lineups & Broadcast Info

AC Milan welcomes Benfica to the San Siro for the first match of the Europa League group stage. The kickoff is set for 21:00 CET / 3:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Both clubs are historic names in European football and are starting this season’s European journey after missing out on the Champions League last year.

Key Question: Can Milan Maintain Their Unbeaten Run Against Benfica’s Winning Streak?

Milan comes into this match undefeated in Serie A with two wins and two draws. They most recently earned a comeback 2-2 draw against Lazio, featuring two goals from Diego Moreira off the bench. Benfica arrives in excellent form under manager Marco Silva, boasting seven consecutive victories across all competitions, including a strong 3-1 comeback win over Gil Vicente last weekend.

There is also an interesting personal subplot: Ruben Amorim, Benfica's coach, spent nine years as a player with Benfica and later managed Sporting, where he often outperformed Benfica. Historically, Milan holds the upper hand, having never lost to Benfica in six previous competitive matches, including two European Cup finals in 1963 and 1990.

AC Milan Team Update

Amorim is likely to make some rotations for this midweek game. Defenders Mattia Gabbia and Mario Gila have recovered from minor injuries and are available, but only one may start. Luka Modrić's participation is uncertain due to his age and the nature of squad management rather than injury concerns. Forward Gonçalo Ramos, who came through Benfica’s academy before moving to PSG and then Milan, is expected to start against his former club. Other attacking options include Christian Pulisic, Alphadjo Cissé, and Samuel Chukwueze.

Benfica Team Update

Alexander Bah remains out with a shoulder injury, so Fredrik Aursnes or Daniel Banjaqui will likely fill in at right-back. Vangelis Pavlidis leads the attack after scoring six goals in qualifiers alone this season. Manager Marco Silva might rotate players considering a tough league match at Porto on Sunday.

Confirmed Starting Lineups

• AC Milan: Formation and lineup details to be confirmed
• Benfica: Formation and lineup details to be confirmed

Broadcast Information

• USA: CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ (English), DAZN USA (Spanish)
• Canada: DAZN Canada, FuboTV
• UK: TNT Sports 2
• Italy: Sky Sports 252
• Portugal: SporTV-5

This meeting features two teams with solid European backgrounds and impressive current form. Milan aims to assert themselves in their first Europa League appearance since 2020-21, while Benfica looks to carry their winning streak into this new tournament. The San Siro should host a fiercely competitive match.