Sunderland's Europa League group stage draw has paired them with AC Milan in a fixture their manager Régis Le Bris calls iconic. The Guardian Sport report from Friday details how the draw in Monaco sets up a trip to the San Siro, fulfilling a dream for fans long taunted by rivals.
Le Bris, who arrived at the Stadium of Light two years ago, said the Milan match is a symbol of the club's rise after a seventh-place Premier League finish last term. Sunderland's current league standing is 13th with zero points from one game, having scored once and conceded twice. They are three points behind early leaders Brighton ahead of their next match at home to Fulham on 30 August.
What does the Europa League draw mean for Sunderland?
The draw places Sunderland in a challenging group alongside AZ Alkmaar, Dinamo Zagreb, Levski Sofia, Jagiellonia Bialystok, Anderlecht, Lech Poznan, and Torreense. The standout fixture is away at AC Milan, a club with immense European pedigree. This specific pairing has extra meaning given the historical chant from Newcastle United supporters suggesting Sunderland fans would never see such a occasion.
"To get back in Europe with this fixture, it’s a symbol," Le Bris said. "It’s iconic. Milan is a massive club and it’s a massive story." The club's support has already embraced the occasion, with 'Mackem in Milan' merchandise appearing. This European campaign builds on last season's domestic success, which included a league double over local rivals Newcastle.
How is Sunderland strengthening the squad?
The club is actively working to improve the team before the transfer window closes. According to the report, Sunderland remains in the market for a right winger and a striker. One high-profile target was Manchester City's Jack Grealish, but a loan move now appears unlikely with the player tipped to rejoin Everton instead.
Manager Régis Le Bris expressed confidence in the process. "I trust the recruitment staff," he stated. "We are well aligned about the targets we need to make the team better." This work continues alongside securing key existing players, with goalkeeper Robin Roefs, winger Romaine Mundle, and forward Wilson Isidor all signing new long-term contracts recently. Fans can track the evolving squad as the season progresses.
What is the immediate focus for the team?
Before European adventures begin, attention turns to the Premier League. Sunderland hosts Fulham this weekend, a team currently 12th in the standings. It's a chance to register a first win of the new campaign and improve upon a goal difference of minus one. The match is a key opportunity to build momentum.
The blend of securing key players to new deals and pursuing further additions shows a club planning for challenges on multiple fronts. The full schedule, including upcoming European dates, is available on the club's fixtures page. Balancing domestic consistency with continental competition will define this phase of Régis Le Bris's project at Sunderland.
