The Europa League draw has been completed, with Bournemouth, Sunderland and Crystal Palace learning their opponents for the opening phase of the competition. The draw followed the Champions League draw on Thursday, and all three British clubs were placed in pot three due to their ranking in UEFA's five-year coefficient.
British clubs' opponents
Bournemouth, who qualified through their league position and are set for their first year in continental football, will face AC Milan at home, Real Sociedad away, Viktoria Plzen at home, Sparta Prague away, Sturm Graz at home, Celta Vigo away, Hapoel Beer-Sheva at home and Lillestrom away.
Sunderland, also qualifying through their league position for their first Europa League campaign, will play AZ Alkmaar at home, AC Milan away, Dinamo Zagreb at home, Anderlecht away, Jagiellonia at home, Lech Poznan away, Levski Sofia at home and Torreense away.
Crystal Palace, who reached the league stage after winning the Conference League in May, will face Real Sociedad at home, Lyon away, Sparta Prague at home, RB Salzburg away, Lech Poznan at home, Jagiellonia away, Hoffenheim at home and Besiktas away. The Eagles had been relegated from the Europa League to the third-tier competition after breaching UEFA's multi-club ownership rules.
Pot one and Celtic
Pot one included Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica, Juventus and Milan, with Celtic in pot two. Celtic were knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers by LASK despite leading 4-0 on aggregate half an hour into the second leg. Celtic's Europa League opponents are Marseille at home, Benfica away, Ferencvaros at home, Union SG away, Celta Vigo at home, Omonia Nicosia away, Besiktas at home and Torreense away.
As in the Champions League draw, each team was represented by a physical ball, and when drawn, a computer assigned them opponents for their eight matches, two from each pot.
Matchdays
Matchday 1 is scheduled for September 16-17, Matchday 2 on October 15, Matchday 3 on October 22, Matchday 4 on November 5, Matchday 5 on November 26, Matchday 6 on December 10, Matchday 7 on January 21 and Matchday 8 on January 28.
