Milan AC face confident Benfica in UEFA Europa League opener at San Siro

Milan AC begin their UEFA Europa League campaign against Benfica at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) on Wednesday, with the Rossoneri aiming to make home advantage count against a Portuguese side enjoying a seven-match winning run.

The match is scheduled for 19 h 00 GMT on Wednesday 16 September 2026. Milan AC return to European competition after a season away and will look to start strongly in front of their home supporters.

Benfica arrive in Milan in excellent form. They defeated Gil Vicente 3-1 last weekend and secured their place in the league phase with a victory over Aarhus. The Portuguese club have also won their past four away matches.

Milan AC, meanwhile, remain unbeaten in Serie A after four matches. They drew 2-2 with Lazio in their most recent fixture after falling two goals behind, a result which maintained their unbeaten start.

A favourable record for Milan AC

The Rossoneri have never lost to Benfica in six official meetings. Milan AC have won four of those matches, while the other two ended in draws.

The clubs have not met since 2007, when their two UEFA Champions League encounters both finished 1-1. Their latest meeting therefore came almost two decades before this contest.

Match details and broadcasters

The game will take place at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) in Milan.

It will be shown by beIN Sports in France, ESPN+ in the United States, Sky Sports in the United Kingdom, and DAZN in Canada, Portugal and Spain. In Germany, coverage will be provided by DAZN and Sky Deutschland. African viewers can watch on Canal+ Sport and New World Sport.

Prediction and odds

Milan AC are marginal favourites, with a 46% chance of victory compared with 29% for Benfica. The probability of a draw is put at 25%, with the home side’s record at San Siro identified as a key advantage.

Africafoot’s prediction is a 2-1 win for Milan AC.

Bookmaker 1xbet lists Milan AC at 2,10 to win, with the draw priced at 3,50 and a Benfica victory at 3,18.