Ardon Jashari still has full faith in where AC Milan are heading under Ruben Amorim, but admitted the team were ‘missing something’ against Benfica.

Milan got their 2026-27 Europa League campaign underway in disastrous fashion as they lost 2-0 to one of the other pre-tournament favourites at San Siro. Benfica were efficient and controlled in their performance, scoring a goal in each half to emerge with three precious points.

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It is certainly a rude awakening for the Rossoneri, who had chances to get themselves level or back into the game but didn’t take them. It already feels like a bit of an uphill battle to keep alive hopes of a finish in the top eight, after setting the wrong tone tonight.

After Alexis Saelemaekers spoke and the head coach Ruben Amorim gave his thoughts , Jashari was next up to speak to Sky (via MilanNews ) and dissect the game.

“I think we were missing something, both with and without the ball. Something was missing, and when you’re not 100%, you don’t score, you concede. We didn’t create opportunities with the way we train. We need to do better, and I think we can do better in the next matches.”

“We have to believe in this project. This isn’t enough. We have to be aggressive. If we’re smart, if we have the spirit right from the start… If we screw up and give things away to the opponent, it’s not due to the project. We have to do better.”

Do you feel that sense of responsibility?

“We’re players at a big club, and we all have to take responsibility for how we play, both collectively and individually. Win or lose, we have to accept it. I’ve said it in my last interviews: it’s important that we believe in this project.

We saw positive things today, too, but we have a lot to improve on. It’s impossible to concede these goals, and we can’t be so predictable… then it becomes easy for our opponents.”

It seems that the team don’t seek out space or run in behind…

“Everyone who knows me knows I like to play the ball behind defenders. In some games, that’s not possible, which is why I say we need to create better. It’s not just me, it’s everyone, not just midfielders.

You need to have lots of options to create, and right now, that’s not our strongest asset. For me, being able to play the ball deep is important. We’ve lacked the ability to play behind the opposition’s lines.

For Club Brugge and Switzerland, you’re determined and aggressive. Tonight, however, especially with the first goal, you almost brake and pull away. What happened?

“Now I see the footage… It’s my responsibility to be closer to Lukebakio, but we also need to improve as a team. It was a play that started from a loose ball we had up front. I ran back… Lukebakio shouldn’t have cut in so easily. I needed to be closer to my team-mate and finish better.”