AC Milan beat Venezia and learn Europa League opponents
AC Milan secured a win over Venezia at San Siro in Serie A thanks to goals from Gonçalo Ramos and Ardon Jashari, while the club also learned its opponents for the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase, including Sunderland and Bournemouth.
Win over Venezia
AC Milan defeated Venezia at home at San Siro in a Serie A fixture. According to Goal.com, the goals were scored by Gonçalo Ramos — who finally opened his Milan account following a transfer reportedly worth more than €70 million — and Ardon Jashari, whose goal was set up by substitute Alexis Saelemaekers. The source notes that the match turned in Milan's favour after changes made from the bench in the second half.
According to match statistics compiled by the BBC, Milan dominated possession, with 57.7% of the ball against Venezia's 42.3%. Milan had 16 shots (5 on target) compared to Venezia's 9 (2 on target), and touched the ball inside the opposition box 26 times against Venezia's 14. Venezia, however, won more aerial duels (17 to Milan's 15) and committed more fouls (11 to Milan's 8), while also earning more corners (3 to 2). Milan's pass accuracy was higher, at 88% compared to Venezia's 82.8%.
Goal.com also assessed individual performances: goalkeeper Maignan handled his one save confidently, while defenders Gila and De Winter were reliable at the back. Modric looked somewhat off his usual pace, and substitutes Loftus-Cheek and Cisse received mixed reviews, both still lacking consistency despite showing potential.
Europa League opponents drawn
Alongside the match result, AC Milan also featured in another major event this week — the draw for the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase, held in Monaco. As reported by UEFA and the BBC, Milan will play at home against Benfica, Ferencvaros, Sunderland and Ararat-Armenia, and away against Olympiacos, Salzburg, Bournemouth and Levski Sofia.
For Sunderland, it will mark their first European campaign since 1973, with the trip to San Siro to face Milan being one of their eight league-phase matches. For Bournemouth, it will be their first-ever European campaign, with their match against Milan to be played on home soil in England. The Europa League league phase kicks off on 16-17 September 2026, with the final taking place in Frankfurt on 26 May 2027.
