The UEFA Europa League draw on Tuesday placed Serie A giants AC Milan in a group that includes two English clubs, Sunderland and Bournemouth, alongside Portuguese side Benfica. Milan will open the eight‑match league phase at home against Benfica, a nostalgic fixture recalling their 1990 European Cup triumph over the Portuguese side. The draw means Milan will travel to England twice this season, facing Sunderland at the Stadium of Light and Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, before returning to the San Siro for the remaining fixtures.
Sunderland, newly promoted to the English Championship after a turbulent spell in lower divisions, view the European campaign as a chance to test their squad against elite opposition. Bournemouth, who secured a Europa League spot by finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, will aim to build on their recent European debut. Both clubs will travel to Italy for the return fixtures against Milan and Benfica, creating a busy schedule that could test squad depth.
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Milan, under the guidance of their current manager, are looking to re‑establish themselves as a European force after a period of domestic inconsistency. The club’s recent domestic form has been mixed, but the draw offers a blend of challenging opponents and potentially lucrative matches that could boost both confidence and revenue as they navigate the group stage.
