AC Milan host Benfica at San Siro as Rui Costa faces mixed emotions against former club

Rui Costa returns to a place that still feels like home

AC Milan face Benfica tonight at San Siro in a Europa League fixture that carries extra significance for several people connected to both clubs, chief among them Benfica president Rui Costa. A former Milan player, Rui Costa spent three seasons at the club, making 192 appearances, scoring 11 goals and providing 45 assists, during which he won a Scudetto, an Italian Cup, an Italian Super Cup, a Champions League and a European Super Cup. He is also a Benfica icon, having scored 28 goals and set up 32 more in 177 appearances for the Lisbon club.

Speaking to journalists at a UEFA lunch between the two clubs' delegations, Rui Costa described the match as producing "a mix of contrasting feelings." He said it was a pleasure to face a team he still feels is his own, while acknowledging it is never entirely comfortable to do so. He noted the draw had decided this meeting in a competition neither club is accustomed to playing in, and expressed hope the two sides would meet again on the final matchday of this Europa League campaign. Rui Costa stressed that Milan's values and the feeling of the club remain the same as when he played and later represented it, but that today he represents Benfica, and it is Benfica that must win. He also looked forward to reuniting with familiar faces, including player Moreira and coach Amorim, and praised Gonçalo Ramos, a player developed by Benfica who now plays for Milan.

Benfica's attacking threats, led by Pavlidis

On the pitch, Benfica will line up in a 4-2-3-1, with Vangelis Pavlidis — previously tracked by Milan — leading the attack. The Greek forward scored 29 goals last season and has already netted 14 in 11 matches this term, making him Benfica's most reliable source of goals. In midfield, Benfica can call on Palhinha, who joined this season following his spell at Tottenham, alongside former Juventus midfielder Barrenechea, as well as Barreiro and the versatile Aursnes. In goal, either Soares or Trubin will start, with the latter no longer the automatic first choice. Defensively, Circati, who arrived from Parma to replace Antonio Silva, is still settling in, while Llenglet and Araujo are not considered especially solid at the back. Further forward, attacking options include Sudakov, Prestianni, Schjelderup, Rafa Silva and Echeverri, who is looking to rediscover his form after a difficult spell split between Leverkusen and Girona. According to Goal.com, an upcoming match against Porto could affect Milan's selection priorities for this fixture, though the source does not elaborate further on this point.