AC Milan head into their Europa League campaign with momentum building, but with real questions still unanswered about Ruben Amorim's best starting lineup. The 2-2 draw at Lazio on September 12 told both stories at once: a first half so poor that Amorim hauled off three players at the break, and a second half so sharp that the same side looked transformed. Diego Moreira came off the bench to score twice and Christian Pulisic made his first appearance of the season, giving Amorim two attacking options who could push for starting roles. Sitting sixth in Serie A with eight points from four games, Milan are unbeaten but the inconsistency between their two halves against Lazio underlines that the squad's identity is still taking shape.

Amorim has been candid about that process. Speaking ahead of Tuesday's Europa League home opener against Benfica at San Siro, he said his aim is not a fixed eleven but a clear team identity. Omari Hutchinson, who impressed in his brief debut against Lazio, is pushing for a starting place, while Luka Modric's difficult first half at the Olimpico raised fresh doubts about the 41-year-old's role in this system. Gonçalo Ramos, goalless since late August, will want to end that run against his former club. For Amorim, Tuesday is a chance to start translating promising signs into a more settled, recognisable team.