AC Milan lost 0-2 to Benfica in the Liga Europa at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, a night when the hosts controlled the ball and still failed to score. D. Lukebakio and J. Kaminski found the net either side of half-time, and the visitors left with a clean sheet.

Match Summary

The early spell belonged to Benfica on the scoreboard even as AC Milan tried to settle. S. Pavlovic was shown a yellow card after 11 minutes, and five minutes later the visitors led. D. Lukebakio finished with J. Kaminski as the provider, and Milan were already chasing. Benfica then absorbed the rest of the first half without adding to the tally. S. El Karouani was booked in the 26th minute, and J. Duran followed before the break. At half-time it was still 0-1.

Milan needed a response after the interval. Instead Benfica struck again. J. Kaminski scored in the 53rd minute, assisted by S. El Karouani, and the cushion was two. From that point the away side managed the clock. D. Banjaqui, L. Barreiro and V. Pavlidis all picked up late yellows, but none of those cautions opened the door for a Milan comeback. The hosts kept coming forward without a goal, and the official score stayed 0-2.

Key Moments

The opener changed the problem Milan had to solve. Once Benfica led, the home side had to chase a one-goal deficit rather than play the game on even terms. The second strike, coming so soon after the restart, removed the simple plan of a single equalizer and left Milan needing two goals with time still on the clock. Territorial pressure never translated. Ten corners and the bulk of possession produced no finish, which is why the scoreline never moved after the second goal. Benfica's discipline was messy, five yellow cards to Milan's one, yet they avoided a red and closed the match with 11 on the pitch.

Match Statistics

The numbers backed Milan's control more than Benfica's finishing. AC Milan had 60 percent possession and 15 shots to Benfica's 11, with both teams recording four shots on target. Expected goals favored the hosts, 0.96 against 0.64, and corners were lopsided at 10 to 1. Yellow cards ran 1-5 in Benfica's direction, and neither side saw a red. Efficiency, not volume, decided it.

See also

• AC Milan vs Benfica live score
• AltBets live scores
• AltBets tips
• Match recaps