Europa League clockwatch begins with a busy slate across Europe, featuring Milan v Benfica at San Siro, Sunderland’s return to continental action against AZ, and updates from Lyon and Leverkusen among others.
Preamble
Sunderland’s last foray into Europe came in 1973-74, when the Second Division side faced Vasas of Hungary and Sporting of Portugal. Sporting visited Roker Park and lost 2-1, but a 2-0 defeat in Lisbon ended the Wearside club’s adventure. The wait ends tonight.
Back in Europe after a remarkable rise and a seventh-place Premier League finish, Sunderland welcome AZ to the Stadium of Light for the first of eight guaranteed league-phase fixtures. The Dutch club, regulars in recent Europa and Conference League campaigns, should provide a useful measure of the hosts’ readiness for a long campaign toward a final in Frankfurt.
The 36-team league phase includes heavyweights. Seven-time European champions Milan host Benfica in a marquee opener. Lyon visit Anderlecht and Bayer Leverkusen face Celje of Slovenia. Stay with us for the key moments.
Sunderland v AZ team news
Sunderland (4-2-3-1) Roefs; Mukiele, Danso, Alderete, Mandava; Xhaka (c), Sadiki; Hume, Le Fée, Fofana; Isidor. Subs: Moore, Ballard, Methalie, Brobbey, Angulo, Rigg, Meunier, O’Nien, Ahoka, Jones, Tutierov, Proctor.
AZ (4-3-3) De Busser; Dijkstra, Goes, Schouten, Chavez; Clasie (c), Koopmeiners, Smit; Oufkir, Meerdink, Daal. Subs: Owusu-Oduro, Maikuma, Patati, Stengs, Andreasen, Kovacs, Hornkamp, Kwakman, Hoedt, Ichihara, De Wit.
Sunderland make four changes from the narrow defeat to Arsenal. Alderete, Hume, Isidor and Fofana start, with Ballard, Brobbey, Angulo and Meunier among the substitutes.
Europa League clockwatch: Milan v Benfica team news
Milan (3-4-2-1) Maignan (c); Terracciano, De Winter, Pavlovic; Chukwueze, Musah, Jashari, Bartesaghi; Hutchinson, Cisse; Gonçalo Ramos. Subs: Torriani, Estupinan, Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic, Rabiot, Modric, Moreira, Tomori, Gila, Gabbia, Saelemaekers, Camarda.
Benfica (4-2-3-1) Trubin; Banjaqui, Circati, Tomas Araujo, El Karouani; Aursnes (c), Palhinha; Kaminski, Sudakov, Lukebakio; Duran. Subs: Soares, Lenglet, Barrenechea, Pavlidis, Manu Silva, Barreiro, Schjelderup, Prestianni, Dahl, Rafa Silva, Echeverri, Cabral.
Anderlecht v Lyon team news
Anderlecht (4-3-3) Coosemans (c); Maamar, Petrot, Omobamidele, Augustinsson; Amane, Llansana, Aasgaard; Winkler, Cvetkovic, Ambros. Subs: Heekeren, Reabciuk, Antman, Sikan, Bentayeb, Stroeykens, Barry, Cobiella, Kana, Joshua-Williame Nga Kana, Kalonji, Degreef.
Lyon (4-3-3) Descamps; Kluivert, Mata, Niakhate (c), Ouedraogo; Tessmann, Morton, Nartey; Boudache, Openda, Nakamura. Subs: Greif, Bengui Joao, Bidstrup, Tagliafico, Nuamah, Tolisso, Sulc, Athekame, Merah, Bacher, Duranville, Himbert.
Live updates
GOAL! Milan 0-1 Benfica (Lukebakio 16′) Dodi Lukebakio cuts inside and curls a low finish inside the far post to give Marco Silva the early edge over Ruben Amorim.
GOAL! Anderlecht 0-1 Lyon (Nartey 8′) Noah Nartey guides a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to put Lyon ahead.
Leverkusen 1-0 Celje Bayer Leverkusen strike first as Svit Seslar diverts the ball into his own net for the visitors.
Milan 0-0 Benfica Early on, Benfica threaten when Jhon Duran’s effort is deflected wide. Both clubs began new eras this summer with former Premier League managers at the helm, Ruben Amorim and Marco Silva.
Sunderland 0-0 AZ After a nervy start, Enzo Le Fée’s half-volley forces a save from De Busser, and his follow-up cross flashes just beyond Isidor. Kevin Danso then unleashes a swerving strike from 30 yards that De Busser tips over, before Alderete’s header from the corner is deflected behind.
Sunderland 0-0 AZ A defensive lapse presents a clear opening to Daal, but Robin Roefs diverts the chance wide. Moments later, Oufkir breaks with support in the middle, only for Trai Hume to cut out the pass with a vital sliding interception.
Sturm Graz 0-0 Rennes Adrien Thomasson’s finish is ruled out for handball following a VAR review.
Scene-setters
The Stadium of Light is in full voice. A giant tifo and fireworks greet the players and a raucous crowd backs the hosts. Pre-match broadcast interviews include Sunderland great Kevin Phillips, who is warmly saluted by supporters on his way into the ground.
Captain Granit Xhaka set the tone before kick-off, saying he expects the stadium to be “on fire” and urging his teammates to play with intensity on and off the ball, adding that he dreams of reaching another European final with Sunderland.
Early results
Two afternoon kick-offs have concluded. Sparta Prague won 4-1 at Ararat Armenia, while Celta were beaten 1-0 at Omonia Nicosia after conceding late.