Fans celebrate as Sunderland’s Europa League opponents confirmed and Black Cats handed dream Milan fixture
Sunderland fans are celebrating after being handed many supporters’ dream draw in this year’s Europa League.
Hundreds of followers headed to the Fans Museum, in North Bridge Street, Sunderland, to find out who the Black Cats would play in their first foray into Europe in 53 years.
Their eight opponents were confirmed shortly after noon as supporters watched anxiously on TV screens throughout the museum.
First out was a trip to Italian giants AC Milan and their famous San Siro stadium.
It was a draw many supporters wanted in response to taunts by fans of Newcastle United, who played there in 2003 and 2023, of “have you ever seen a Mackem in Milan?”.
While the Milan game was drawn first, its precise date will not be confirmed until over the weekend.
Sunderland followers celebrated with pints and pies after the Milan game was announced.
Fans Museum founder Michael Ganley said: “I’m pretty speechless to see a certain part of the European fraternity come out in Milan.
"It’s just one that we all wanted."
Another Sunderland fan, Adam Pinkney, said: “I’m really looking forward to it now.
"I’m surprised we got Milan first if I’m honest.
"I don’t know how to put it into words. It’s better than I thought it was going to be.”
Another fan, Luke Murphy, said: “I can’t believe it, the Mackems are actually going to Milan – who’d have thought it?
"Seeing the red and white stripes in Italy is going to be something else.
"Even if I don’t make it out there myself, I know the atmosphere is going to be amazing.”
As well as heading to Italy, Sunderland will be travelling to Belgium to face Anderlecht, based in Brussels, Poland where they will play Lech Poznan and Portugal where they will visit Torreense.
Michael said: “It’s going to be an amazing experience for all of the fans.
"Those who are not going, maybe myself, who knows, will be watching it wherever we can. But it’s just absolutely amazing.”
Sunderland’s home fixtures have been confirmed as AZ Alkmaar, Dinamo Zagreb, Jagiellona and Levski Sofia.
UEFA will be releasing the dates and times of the games no later than Sunday, August 30, with details expected to be announced on Saturday.