Sunderland to face AC Milan in Europa League debut since 1973
Quick Look
Sunderland will make their first European appearance since 1973 by facing AC Milan in the Europa League after drawing the Italian giants in the league phase, while Bournemouth and Crystal Palace also received notable draws, with Palace facing Lyon, Real Sociedad and Besiktas in what is described as arguably the toughest among Premier League entrants.
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Why It Matters
Sunderland earned Europa League qualification by winning the Portuguese Cup final against Sporting CP, marking their first European campaign since 1973. Crystal Palace entered the Europa League after winning last season's Conference League but were demoted from the competition last July due to multi-club ownership rule breaches.
Sunderland will mark their first European campaign since 1973 with a trip to the San Siro after drawing AC Milan in the Europa League.
The Black Cats, who finished seventh in the Premier League last season, will face the seven-time European champions in one of their eight league-phase matches.
One of their four away matches will come against European debutants Torreense.
The second-tier side earned qualification for the Europa League by inflicting a shock defeat on Sporting CP to win the Portuguese Cup final in May.
But as their 2,500-capacity home stadium in Torres Vedras does not meet Uefa's requirements, they will play their home matches 193 miles away at the Estadio Algarve in Faro.
Bournemouth have also been handed a tie against AC Milan, although theirs will be on home soil.
The Cherries, who have qualified for European football for the first time, will also face Real Sociedad among their eight games.
Last season's Conference League winners Crystal Palace have been handed arguably the toughest draw out of the three Premier League teams, with Pierre Sage's side set up for meetings with Lyon, Real Sociedad and Besiktas.
It will be the first time Palace have competed in the Europa League, having been demoted from the competition last July for breaching multi-club ownership rules.
Scottish Premiership champions Celtic, who fell into the Europa League after surrendering a four-goal lead against LASK in the Champions League play-off tie earlier this week, will take on Marseille, Benfica and Besiktas.
In the Conference League, Brighton's draw includes fixtures against AS Monaco and Spanish side Getafe.
Hearts have also been drawn against Monaco and will also face a trip to Mohamed Salah's Trabzonspor.
The Europa League final will take place in Frankfurt on 26 May, with the Conference League equivalent taking place six days later in Istanbul.
Open Questions
- How will Sunderland's limited home stadium capacity affect their European campaign logistics?
- What impact will Torreense's Estadio Algarve ground-sharing arrangement have on their home advantage?
- Can Crystal Palace overcome their multi-club ownership-related Europa League absence to compete effectively this season?
