Omari Hutchinson could be in line for his first AC Milan start when the Italian side open their Europa League campaign against Benfica at San Siro, with Calcio Mercato reporting that the former Nottingham Forest attacker has made an encouraging early impression.
After arriving late in the window, Hutchinson needed little time to spark intrigue. His brief cameo against Lazio at the Olimpico, lasting only 18 minutes, appears to have gone down well internally. The report indicates that Milan boss Ruben Amorim has been pleased by the impact of the Anglo-Jamaican, and that satisfaction has quickly fed into team selection thinking before a significant European night.
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Omari Hutchinson pushing for AC Milan start
There is still a final decision to be made, but the suggestion is that Amorim is strongly considering naming Hutchinson from the outset. For a player still settling into new surroundings, that would represent a notable vote of confidence. It would also underline the extent to which Milan believe Hutchinson can offer unpredictability, acceleration and attacking thrust in one v one situations.
From Milan’s perspective, this is a moment to assess whether a lively substitute display can be translated into a start against high calibre opposition. Benfica will provide a useful reference point. The intensity, tactical demand and expectation around a European opener at San Siro create a very different examination from a late cameo.
Benfica fixture offers major Europa League stage
The game itself carries obvious weight. Milan are seeking a fast start in the Europa League, and team selection will reflect that. If Hutchinson does get the nod, it would suggest Amorim sees him as ready to contribute immediately rather than as a medium term project.
For Nottingham Forest followers, there will be understandable interest in how he develops from here. Hutchinson’s departure always carried the sense that there was untapped potential still waiting for the right…
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