AC Milan Falls 2-0 to Benfica at San Siro in Europa League Opener

AC Milan opened their Europa League campaign with a 2-0 loss at home to Benfica on Wednesday night at the San Siro, a result that leaves the Italian side with ground to make up in the group phase.

Benfica took the lead in the 16th minute through Dodi Lukebakio before Jakub Kaminski doubled the advantage in the 53rd, and Milan couldn't find an answer at either end. Manager Massimiliano Allegri turned to American winger Christian Pulisic off the bench in search of a spark, but the U.S. international couldn't help engineer a comeback.

The defeat is an early setback for a Milan side that will now need results elsewhere in the group to stay on track for the knockout rounds. Benfica, meanwhile, opens its own campaign with a statement road win against one of the competition's bigger names.