Sunderland will embark on their first continental football journey in more than half a century with a high-profile fixture against AC Milan. The Black Cats secured a seventh-place finish in the Premier League during their first campaign back in the top flight following promotion, earning a spot in the revamped league phase of the UEFA Europa League. Their matchup against the seven-time European champions will take place at the iconic San Siro stadium in Italy.
The draw sets up a demanding schedule for the North East club as they navigate a total of eight fixtures in the competition's opening stage. Alongside the trip to Milan, Sunderland's slate includes home encounters against AZ Alkmaar, GNK Dinamo, Anderlecht, Jagiellonia, and Levski Sofia, paired with away tests facing Anderlecht, Lech Poznan, and Torreense.
Bournemouth will join their fellow Premier League competitors in the tournament, marking the first time the club has ever qualified for European competition. The Cherries earned a glamour tie against AC Milan as well, though their encounter with the Italian giants will be hosted on home turf. Bournemouth's eight-match league phase schedule also features a challenging away fixture against La Liga side Real Sociedad, alongside games against Viktoria Plzen, Sparta Praha, Sturm Graz, Celta Vigo, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, and Lillestrom.
Crystal Palace enter the competition following their triumph in the previous season's UEFA Conference League. The Eagles have been paired with matches against Lyon, Besiktas, and Real Sociedad, rounding out their schedule with fixtures against Sparta Praha, Salzburg, Lech Poznan, Jagiellonia, and Hoffenheim.
Celtic will also participate in the Europa League after sliding into the tournament following a dramatic play-off elimination from the Champions League earlier in the week. The Scottish champions let a four-goal aggregate advantage slip away against LASK, resulting in a drop to the second tier of European club football. Celtic's league phase path features matches against Marseille, Benfica, Ferencvaros, Union SG, Celta Vigo, Omonia, Besiktas, and Torreense.
Meanwhile, the UEFA Conference League draw brought notable fixtures for other British clubs. Brighton secured a pairing with French powerhouse AS Monaco and a trip to Spain to face Getafe, alongside matches against Panathinaikos, Craiova, Kauno Zalgiris, and Jablonec.
Hearts will likewise test themselves against Monaco in the Conference League, while also securing an away trip to Turkey to face Trabzonspor. The Scottish side's schedule for the opening phase is rounded out by matches against Pafos, Borac, Nordsjaelland, and Thun.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC Sport. Read the original report at BBC Sport.
