AC Milan vs Benfica Predicted Lineups and Team News

AC Milan open their UEFA Europa League campaign in Milan against a Benfica side that arrives in strong early-season form. The fixture is part of the League Stage – 1, with both clubs starting on 0 points and looking to set the tone for a long European run. Milan sit 23rd in the overall league-stage ranking grid with 0 points and 0 games played, while Benfica are listed 4th, also on 0 points but coming off an impressive recent run in continental action.

With no domestic form data yet for Milan in this competition and Benfica carrying a league form string of LWWDWW, the Portuguese side appear the more battle-hardened group heading into this tie. Still, a trip to Milan is never straightforward, and this makes the predicted lineups and expected starting lineup choices particularly important as both managers balance early group-stage risk with long-term objectives.

Benfica have been prolific in front of goal in the Europa League build-up, averaging 3.2 goals per game across their recent fixtures in this competition structure. Milan, by contrast, are a statistical blank slate in this season’s Europa League, which places even greater emphasis on squad profiles and key individuals when projecting the lineups today.

AC Milan Team News & Expected Lineups Today

AC Milan enter this League Stage opener without any listed injuries or suspensions. With a full squad available and no form string yet recorded in the Europa League, selection is likely to be driven by experience, balance between youth and senior players, and the need to control Benfica’s dynamic attack. No significant absences reported.

Tactically, Milan are expected to set up with a solid defensive base and a technically strong midfield, using experienced figures like M. Maignan at the back and creative profiles such as L. Modrić and C. Pulišić to dictate tempo. The manager is likely to lean on an attacking-minded shape that can still protect transitions, making the expected lineup a blend of ball progression in midfield and direct threat from wide and central forwards.

AC Milan Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: M. Maignan
DF: F. Tomori, M. Gabbia, Mario Gila, S. Pavlović
MF: L. Modrić, R. Loftus-Cheek, Y. Musah, C. Pulišić
FW: Gonçalo Ramos, S. Chukwueze

This predicted lineup leans heavily on experience and physicality in central areas. M. Maignan provides elite-level shot-stopping and distribution, crucial against a Benfica side that has been averaging 3.2 goals per game recently. The back line of F. Tomori, M. Gabbia, Mario Gila and S. Pavlović offers a mix of aerial strength and mobility, designed to cope with Benfica’s varied attacking threats.

In midfield, L. Modrić and R. Loftus-Cheek give Milan control and vertical running, while Y. Musah adds ball-carrying power and defensive coverage. C. Pulišić is the key creative outlet between the lines and from the half-spaces, expected to link with the front two and exploit Benfica’s full-backs when they push on. Up front, Gonçalo Ramos provides penalty-box presence and finishing, with S. Chukwueze stretching play on the right and attacking Benfica’s defensive line with pace and 1v1 ability. This starting lineup should allow Milan to combine controlled possession with quick transitions.

Benfica Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Benfica travel to Milan with a largely intact squad but do have two notable absences listed. A. Bah is ruled out as a missing fixture due to injury, and Bruma is also unavailable, marked as off the roster. Both players would normally offer significant depth and flexibility on the right flank and in the attacking line, so their absence slightly narrows the rotation options for lineups today.

Even with those absences, Benfica arrive in excellent form. Their league form run of LWWDWW and a last-five record showing 18 goals scored and just 4 conceded underline a high-performing, attack-oriented side. The team’s recent use of a 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-3-2 in Europa League fixtures suggests an aggressive, front-foot approach, and the expected lineup will be built around top scorer V. Pavlidis and creative forwards like Rafa and A. Schjelderup to maintain that attacking edge.

Benfica Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: A. Trubin
DF: C. Lenglet, Tomás Araújo, S. El Karouani, S. Dahl
MF: João Palhinha, E. Barrenechea, H. Sudakov, J. Kamiński
FW: Rafa, V. Pavlidis

In goal, A. Trubin is the logical choice as the senior keeper, providing height and command of the area against Milan’s aerial threat. At the back, C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo are both on the Europa League scoring list from defensive positions, underlining their set-piece value as well as their defensive reliability. S. El Karouani and S. Dahl complete a back four that can support high pressing and overlapping runs.

The midfield is constructed around control and progression. João Palhinha offers ball-winning and screening in front of the defence, while E. Barrenechea adds distribution and composure. H. Sudakov, who has already provided an assist in the competition, and J. Kamiński, also credited with an assist, are key creative midfielders expected to link play into the final third. Ahead of them, Rafa and V. Pavlidis headline a potent attack: Pavlidis is currently the standout forward in this Europa League campaign with 5 goals and 1 assist, while Rafa has 2 goals and 1 assist. Their movement between the lines and in behind will be central to Benfica’s game plan.

With A. Schjelderup (1 goal, 1 assist), D. Lukebakio (1 goal, 1 assist), J. Durán, G. Prestianni and others available from the bench, Benfica’s attacking depth remains strong despite the absences, and any in-game tactical tweak can add fresh pace or dribbling threat against a tiring Milan defence.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

The absences are concentrated entirely on Benfica’s side, and they subtly shape the tactical options for this match. Milan, with a clean bill of health, can rotate freely and adapt their structure to the state of the game, while Benfica must manage without a key right-sided defender and an experienced winger.

AC Milan Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Benfica Absences:

• A. Bah — Injury (Missing Fixture)
• Bruma — Off the roster (Missing Fixture)

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

This matchup pits Milan’s likely control-oriented, technically strong side against one of the most explosive attacking units in the competition so far. Milan’s predicted back four of F. Tomori, M. Gabbia, Mario Gila and S. Pavlović will be tasked with containing V. Pavlidis, whose 5 goals and 1 assist make him the premier penalty-box threat in this Europa League campaign. The central duel between Pavlidis and the Milan centre-backs will be decisive, especially on crosses and cut-backs created by Rafa and J. Kamiński.

In midfield, Milan’s trio of L. Modrić, R. Loftus-Cheek and Y. Musah faces a Benfica unit featuring João Palhinha, E. Barrenechea and H. Sudakov. Palhinha’s ball-winning clashes directly with Modrić’s ability to orchestrate play, while Sudakov’s passing and movement between the lines can exploit any gaps when Milan push their full-backs forward. Out wide, C. Pulišić and S. Chukwueze will look to isolate Benfica’s full-backs, but they must also track the forward runs of S. El Karouani and S. Dahl to prevent overloads. Benfica’s recent scoring pattern—goals spread across all phases of the match—suggests they can sustain pressure, while Milan’s fresh slate in the competition introduces an element of uncertainty but also tactical flexibility.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Stats suggest a finely balanced contest. The prediction model assigns Benfica a 50% chance to win, with the draw also at 50% and Milan given 0%. That reflects Benfica’s superior recent form and attacking output, but the betting markets are more cautious: home win odds for Milan range from 2.05 to 2.14, implying an approximate 46.7–48.8% chance, while Benfica’s away win odds between 3.20 and 3.49 translate to roughly 28.7–31.3%. The draw, priced from 3.40 to 3.62, implies around a 27.6–29.4% chance.

Given Benfica’s scoring power, their positive league form run of LWWDWW, and the presence of high-impact forwards like V. Pavlidis and Rafa, they have enough quality to trouble Milan throughout the 90 minutes. However, Milan’s full-strength squad, home advantage in Milan, and the experience embedded in their predicted starting lineup should prevent the visitors from running away with the game. With no explicit goals projection available, the safest analytical stance is that Benfica are marginally more likely to edge the contest, but a low-scoring draw remains a very realistic outcome.

Predicted Outcome: AC Milan 1–2 Benfica

How to Watch AC Milan vs Benfica Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

• Spain: Local sports pay-TV channel / streaming platform
• UK: Major sports network or official UEFA Europa League rights holder
• USA / North America: Regional sports streaming service carrying UEFA competitions
• South America: Continental sports broadcaster with UEFA Europa League coverage
• MENA: Satellite sports network with exclusive UEFA rights