Match Overview

AC Milan faced Benfica at the San Siro/Giuseppe Meazza in League Stage - 1 of the UEFA Europa League. The visiting side, Benfica, secured a 0-2 victory over the hosts. The match was officiated by referee J. Gillett.

First Half Events and Opening Goal

The match saw its first disciplinary action in the 11th minute when S. Pavlovic of AC Milan received a yellow card. Benfica then broke the deadlock in the 16th minute, as D. Lukebakio scored a normal goal with an assist from J. Kaminski.

Further yellow cards were issued in the first half, with S. El Karouani cautioned in the 26th minute and J. Duran receiving a yellow card in the 37th minute.

Second Half Substitutions and Second Goal

AC Milan made a double substitution at the start of the second half in the 46th minute, bringing on C. Pulisic for O. Hutchinson and M. Gila for F. Terracciano.

Benfica extended their lead in the 53rd minute. J. Kaminski found the back of the net for his second goal involvement of the match, this time converting from an assist provided by S. El Karouani.

Later Substitutions and Match Conclusion

In the 57th minute, AC Milan introduced D. Moreira and A. Saelemaekers in place of A. Cisse and D. Bartesaghi respectively.

Benfica made tactical changes in the 70th minute, substituting F. Aursnes and G. Sudakov for L. Barreiro and G. Prestianni. AC Milan then brought on A. Rabiot for A. Jashari in the 73rd minute.

As the match entered its closing stages, D. Banjaqui received a yellow card for Benfica in the 77th minute. Benfica made further changes in the 80th minute, replacing J. Kaminski and J. Duran with A. Schjelderup and V. Pavlidis. L. Barreiro was cautioned with a yellow card in the 84th minute, followed by S. Dahl replacing S. El Karouani in the 88th minute. V. Pavlidis received a yellow card during stoppage time in the 90+2nd minute as the match concluded.

Statistical Comparison

AC Milan dominated possession with 60% compared to Benfica's 40%. The home side registered a total of 17 shots, featuring 4 shots on goal, 10 shots off goal, 3 blocked shots, with 9 shots taken from inside the box and 8 from outside.

Benfica recorded 11 total shots, with 4 shots on goal, 3 shots off goal, 4 blocked shots, comprising 5 shots inside the box and 6 outside.

AC Milan earned 10 corner kicks compared to just 1 for Benfica. In the passing department, AC Milan completed 521 out of 567 total passes at a 92% accuracy rate, while Benfica completed 324 out of 382 passes at an 85% accuracy rate.

Fouls were fairly close with 14 committed by AC Milan and 12 by Benfica. Benfica picked up 5 yellow cards, whereas AC Milan received only 1. Goalkeeper saves stood at 2 for AC Milan and 4 for Benfica. Expected goals (xG) registered at 0.96 for AC Milan and 0.64 for Benfica.