Bournemouth draw AC Milan as Juventus set for Real Sociedad showdown

AFC Bournemouth will begin their first‑ever European campaign with a marquee home clash against AC Milan, following Friday’s Europa League draw in Monaco. Milan, placed in a demanding group, will also face Benfica, Olympiacos and Sunderland. Fellow Italian giants Juventus were paired with Real Sociedad, setting up one of the competition’s standout fixtures. Lyon, knocked out of the Champions League playoffs by Fenerbahce, join Sociedad’s group alongside Conference League champions Crystal Palace.

Palace will host Sparta Prague and travel to Istanbul to meet Besiktas, adding further intrigue to their schedule. Portuguese second‑division side Torreense, surprise qualifiers after winning their domestic cup, face a daunting challenge with trips to Sociedad and Celtic. The draw delivers a compelling mix of elite matchups and underdog stories, with Bournemouth’s debut and Torreense’s rise among the most notable narratives.