Cherries' Europa League fixtures have been confirmed, with some amazing home and away fixtures set to take place in what looks to be the most historic and memorable season in the clubs history.
AFC Bournemouth now know the opponents standing between them and a place in the knockout stages of the Europa League, with Cherries handed a fascinating schedule for their first-ever European campaign. The league phase draw, completed in Monaco today, has given Bournemouth a mixture of glamour, experience and intriguing challenges across their eight fixtures.
The standout fixture will undoubtedly come at home, with AC Milan travelling to the Vitality Stadium. The seven-time European champions provide Bournemouth with arguably the biggest occasion in the club's history and a chance for the Cherries to test themselves against one of the continent's most decorated sides.
Alongside Milan, Bournemouth will welcome Viktoria Plzen, Sturm Graz and Hapoel Be'er Sheva to the South Coast. Each presents a very different challenge, with Bournemouth needing to make home advantage count if they are to establish themselves in the top half of the league phase table.
Away from home, the Cherries face Real Sociedad, Sparta Prague, Celta Vigo and Lillestrøm. The trip to Spain to face Real Sociedad stands out as another particularly difficult assignment, while journeys to Prague and Norway will provide Bournemouth with valuable experience of the demands of European football.
The complete draw is:
Home
- AC Milan
- Viktoria Plzen
- Sturm Graz
- Hapoel Be'er Sheva
Away
- Real Sociedad
- Sparta Prague
- Celta Vigo
- Lillestrøm
REUTERS / Chris RadburnFrom a Bournemouth perspective, it is difficult to argue that the draw could have offered much more excitement. Milan immediately gives supporters a fixture to circle on the calendar, while Real Sociedad provide another high-profile European test on the road.
However, the Cherries will also recognise that progression is about consistency rather than individual glamour fixtures. With eight matches contributing towards one overall league table, every point will matter. The top eight automatically progress to the last 16, while teams finishing ninth to 24th enter a knockout play-off.
For a club experiencing European football for the first time, the objective will be to embrace the occasion without allowing the novelty to become a distraction. Bournemouth have earned their place in this competition, and the draw now gives them the opportunity to show they belong at this level.
The first league-phase fixtures will take place on September 16 and 17, meaning the wait for Bournemouth's European adventure is almost over.
