Sunderland embarks on a remarkable journey in European football after a long hiatus since their last campaign in 1973-74. Back then, they faced teams like Vasas from Hungary and Sporting from Portugal, ultimately falling short with a 2-1 defeat at Roker Park after a 2-0 victory in Lisbon.

Following a thrilling return to the Premier League with a seventh-place finish, Sunderland now prepares for eight fixtures in the Europa League. Their first challenge comes from Dutch side AZ, known for their consistent presence in European competitions. The match at the Stadium of Light is expected to test Sunderland's readiness as they aim for the final in Frankfurt.

In addition to Sunderland’s clash, the competition features some heavyweight matchups:

• AC Milan, with their illustrious history of seven European championships, will host Benfica in a highly anticipated opener.
• Lyon travels to face Anderlecht, while Leverkusen takes on Celje from Slovenia at home.

Fans can look forward to an exhilarating season as these teams battle it out in the 36-team league phase of the Europa League.