Europa League Draw: Juventus and Milan Discover League Phase Foes

FolioPitch.com – 28 August 2026 | The Europa League draw Juventus and Milan opponents include Celta Bournemouth and Sunderland, as the two Serie A giants learned their fate during Friday’s ceremony in Monte Carlo. With only two Italian clubs in the 2026-27 Europa League, both Juventus and AC Milan now know the eight sides they will face in the new league phase, setting the stage for a demanding autumn and winter campaign.

Juventus, who finished sixth in Serie A last season, were drawn against Real Sociedad, AZ Alkmaar, Rennes, Ferencváros, Omonia, Celta Vigo, NEC and Hapoel Beer Sheva. The Bianconeri will be particularly wary of trips to Spain and the Netherlands, while Celta Vigo’s presence adds a familiar Iberian flavour to their schedule. Meanwhile, Milan, the fifth-placed team in 2025-26, will face Benfica, Olympiacos, Ferencváros, Salzburg, Sunderland, Bournemouth, Ararat and Levski Sofia. The Rossoneri’s pair of English opponents, Sunderland and Bournemouth, stand out as intriguing tests for the reconfigured league phase.

The draw, which took place in Monaco, reflects the new format adopted by UEFA for this season. Each club plays eight matches against eight different opponents, with four at home and four away. This replaces the traditional group stage, offering more variety and a higher number of high-profile clashes during the league phase. The Europa League draw Juventus and Milan opponents include Celta Bournemouth and Sunderland, but the full list reveals a mix of established European names and lesser-known clubs from emerging football nations.

For Juventus, the home matches against Real Sociedad, Rennes, Omonia and NEC will be seen as opportunities to build momentum, while away trips to AZ Alkmaar, Ferencváros, Celta Vigo and Hapoel Beer Sheva will test their consistency on the road. Milan’s schedule is arguably more balanced on paper, with home ties against Benfica, Ferencváros, Sunderland and Ararat, and away games at Olympiacos, Salzburg, Bournemouth and Levski Sofia. The clash with Benfica in particular promises to be a showcase of attacking football, while the trips to England and Greece could prove decisive in the race for automatic qualification.

Under the new format, the top eight teams after the eight league-phase matches will advance directly to the Round of 16. Clubs finishing between ninth and 24th place will enter a knockout play-off round, giving them a second chance to reach the last 16. This structure rewards consistency but also leaves little room for error, as even a single slip-up can significantly alter a team’s trajectory. The league phase is scheduled to begin on September 16 and 17, 2026, and will conclude on January 28, 2027, with the final set for May 26, 2027, at the Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt.

Both Italian clubs enter the competition with renewed ambition after domestic campaigns that fell short of expectations. Juventus, under their current management, have been rebuilding and see the Europa League as a realistic route back to European silverware. Milan, who have often enjoyed deep runs in continental competition, will aim to go one step further than last season and lift a trophy that has eluded them for over a decade. The participation of both clubs is also vital for Italy’s UEFA coefficient, as more points earned in Europe help secure future slots for Serie A sides.

The Europa League draw Juventus and Milan opponents include Celta Bournemouth and Sunderland, and those pairings have already generated significant buzz among fans. Celta Vigo are no strangers to European nights, and their meeting with Juventus will evoke memories of past encounters in continental competitions. Sunderland, newly promoted to the Premier League, have impressed with their energetic style, while Bournemouth have established themselves as a stable top-flight English club. For Milan, facing two English teams in the league phase adds an extra layer of challenge, as the physicality and pace of the Premier League often pose problems for foreign sides.

Beyond the headline opponents, the draw also offers intriguing travels and fresh faces. Omonia, Hapoel Beer Sheva and Ararat are less familiar to fans of Italian football, but they have proven capable of causing upsets on their day. NEC Nijmegen, back in European competition after a long absence, and Levski Sofia, a historic Bulgarian side, complete a varied list that promises unpredictability. The full fixtures, including match dates and kickoff times, will be announced by UEFA on Saturday, August 29, giving the clubs a clear picture of their schedules before the start of the campaign.

For Juventus, the immediate focus will be on navigating a tricky opening set of fixtures while managing the demands of Serie A. The club’s squad depth will be tested, especially with winter fixtures crowded by the added European matches. Milan, meanwhile, will look to their experienced core to guide them through a run that includes a trip to Salzburg, a venue that has become a notorious away day in European competition. Both managers will need to rotate resources wisely to keep their teams fresh for the domestic title race as well as European commitments.

In conclusion, the path to the Frankfurt final is now mapped out for Juventus and Milan, but it is fraught with obstacles. The new league phase format rewards consistency and tactical flexibility, and neither Italian side can afford to underestimate any opponent. With the first matches just weeks away, anticipation is building across the peninsula. The Europa League draw Juventus and Milan opponents include Celta Bournemouth and Sunderland, but the true test will begin on the pitch in September, where every point matters and every performance could shape the season.