Europa League draw: Sunderland and Bournemouth land Milan
The Europa League draw has paired Premier League clubs Sunderland and Bournemouth against AC Milan, while other teams like Crystal Palace and Celtic face challenging groups. The tournament will conclude with the final in Frankfurt on May 26.
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European football competitions are major cultural and economic events that drive significant viewership and revenue for clubs and host cities.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Sunderland made their return to the Premier League last season
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.
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