Italian media savage Amorim with 4.5 ratings after AC Milan's Europa League loss to Benfica

Ruben Amorim’s honeymoon period at AC Milan ended abruptly on Thursday as the Rossoneri fell 2-0 to Benfica in their Europa League league-phase opener, with Italian media issuing damning verdicts on the former Manchester United manager’s team selection and tactical approach.

Dodi Lukebakio and Jakub Kaminski scored for Marco Silva’s side at the Estádio da Luz despite Milan dominating possession and registering 16 shots. Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin was equal to everything the Rossoneri produced, leaving Amorim with his third game without a win after earlier draws against Juventus and Lazio.

Tuttosport awarded Amorim a 4.5 out of 10, describing it as “a very bad European debut, with a starting lineup that (again) leaves more than one doubt.” The publication was particularly critical of his decision to hand Filippo Terracciano and Omari Hutchinson their first starts of the season while leaving Diego Moreira — who scored twice against Roma the previous weekend — on the bench. “Ruben Amorim is a kind-hearted coach: after gifting Lazio a half on Saturday, he did the same last night against Benfica,” the outlet wrote.

Corriere dello Sport matched that 4.5 rating and went further in its assessment. “There’s no doubt about it: he got the starting lineup wrong,” the paper stated. “And, all things considered, it’s the fourth game in a row where that’s happened. He needs to rethink his choices.” The publication also highlighted the absence of Luka Modric, who was an unused substitute, as a particularly puzzling omission.

The Italian outlet also flagged a pre-match comment from Amorim that now carries added weight. “I don’t have the players for my system? Yes, that’s partly true. But if I have to fail, it’s better if I fail big,” the Portuguese coach had said. Corriere dello Sport responded with a direct warning: “Be careful, Ruben, because the edge is already slippery, and the fans’ whistles, at halftime and at the end, signal that their patience is not limitless.”

Amorim had won his first two Serie A matches after succeeding Massimiliano Allegri in the San Siro dugout, but back-to-back draws in the league and now a European defeat have quickly shifted the narrative. Milan remain unbeaten domestically, but the scrutiny over his selections will intensify ahead of Sunday’s home fixture against Lecce.