Europa League firsts and first-half droughts: All the key stats from AC Milan 0-2 Benfica

AC Milan’s game against Benfica was supposed to be a celebration of returning to the European stage, but instead negative records tumbled.

Of the 65,000+ crowd in attendance, it was the Benfica supporters who went home happier as Lukébakio (16’) and Kamiński (53’) fired them to their first ever win over Milan. They deserved it too despite making nine changes, after a thoroughly efficient performance.

Possession for what?

The numbers highlight some worries for the Rossoneri, who had 60% of the ball but generated 0.99 Expected Goals, after accumulating just 1.09 against Lazio and 0.09 against Juventus. Clearly, there is an inability to turn having the ball into clear chances.

Benfica had more ‘big chances’ with 1 to 0. Milan racked up 17 total shots to 11, but only 4 were on target, the same number as the away side managed. There were 10 corners for Amorim’s men, none of which seemed to generate any danger.

Negative records

For the first time, Milan have failed to win their Europa League opener, after four consecutive wins. More generally, this is only their third defeat on their UEFA Cup/Europa League debut, excluding the preliminary rounds, after those in 1985-86 and 1987-88.

The most significant fact concerns the streak that was ‘achieved’ last night: never in their history had Milan lost three consecutive games in the competition.

Milan have failed to score in consecutive UEFA Cup/Europa League home games for the first time in their history (the two legs of the 2023-24 quarter-final against Roma, and last night versus Benfica).

In European competitions, the drought has become more frequent: in their last three matches, the Rossoneri have failed to score twice, as many as in the previous 17 games.

More generally, Milan have now failed to score in any first half they have played this season, which is 450 minutes (plus added time) over the five matches.