Milan lose at home to Benfica, Leverkusen start Europa League with win

AC Milan faced a setback in their UEFA Champions League campaign, losing 2-1 to SL Benfica at the iconic San Siro. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen marked a strong start in the UEFA Europa League, securing a 3-0 win against FC Zurich.

Milan's Home Struggles Continue

In a thrilling encounter, Benfica capitalized on AC Milan's defensive lapses to secure a crucial away victory. Milan’s hopes were high after a promising start to the season, but the Portuguese side proved too strong, with Rafa Silva and João Mário finding the net to upset the home fans.

Milan’s lone goal came from Rafael Leão, who managed to equalize briefly in the first half. However, a swift counter-attack led to Benfica’s winning goal, leaving Milan manager Stefano Pioli with much to ponder as they look to navigate a tough group stage.

Leverkusen's Europa League Ambitions

Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen demonstrated their intent in the Europa League with a commanding win over FC Zurich. Goals from Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Adam Hlozek ensured a comfortable victory, propelling the Bundesliga side to an early lead in their group.

Leverkusen's performance showcased their attacking prowess and solid defense, setting a tone for what could be a promising campaign under manager Xabi Alonso. With eyes set on advancing deep into the tournament, Leverkusen will look to maintain this form in upcoming fixtures.

• Next Matches: AC Milan will regroup ahead of their next league fixture against AS Roma, while Benfica looks to extend their winning streak in the Primeira Liga.
• Leverkusen Focus: The German side aims to carry their momentum into their next Bundesliga match against VfB Stuttgart.

As the European competitions progress, both Milan and Leverkusen will be eager to build on their respective performances, with fans eagerly anticipating how the season unfolds for these storied clubs.