The Europa League league phase opens on September 16 and 17, with Milan–Benfica, Sunderland–AZ Alkmaar, Celtic–Ferencvaros and Besiktas–Marseille among the featured fixtures.
In its September 15 preview, UEFA highlights Sunderland's first European campaign since 1973. Milan enter their meeting with Benfica unbeaten in the clubs' previous encounters, with four wins and two draws.
Six clubs are making their UEFA league-phase debuts, and 22 countries are represented. The briefing sets out the pre-match storylines.