Le Bris makes Sunderland Europa League admission after 'iconic' AC Milan draw

[p]The [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sunderland/WSzc94ws/"]Black Cats[/a] are set to compete in Europe for the first time in 53 years after securing an impressive seventh-place finish in the Premier League last season.[/p][p]Le Bris’ side will face [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ac-milan/8Sa8HInO/"]AC Milan[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/az-alkmaar/2RxOow1i/"]AZ Alkmaar[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/din-zagreb/8G5ufQTg/"]GNK Dinamo[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/anderlecht/vslqAKNo/"]Anderlecht[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/jagiellonia/lIDaZJTc/"]Jagiellonia[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/lech-poznan/OpNH7Ouf/"]Lech Poznan[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/levski-sofia/E5OOzgs4/"]Levski Sofia[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/torreense/8jQErKhN/"]Torreense[/a] as they look to navigate their way through the league phase and secure a place in the next round.[/p][p]Asked whether he was satisfied with Sunderland’s draw and considered it favourable, Le Bris was cautious in his assessment.[/p][p]“I don’t know, we will see,” the Frenchman told the media during Friday’s media parley at the Academy of Light.[/p][p]“[b]53 years later, Sunderland are back in Europe so it’s something bit unknown. What can we expect? Strong opponents, different cultures, different experiences and we need that to get better[/b]. [/p][p]“So, it’s a huge privilege and we are really proud of this opportunity.”[/p][embed guid="a156303b-e746-49f1-8214-f18e17f64863" url="https://x.com/SunderlandAFC/status/2093306807489859840" social-type="twitter" /][p]One of the biggest fixtures awaiting the Stadium of Light giants is their meeting with Italian giants Milan.[/p][p]The Rossoneri are one of European football’s most decorated clubs, and Le Bris believes the fixture perfectly captures the significance of the club’s return to the continental stage.[/p][p]“[b]It’s iconic Milan. So, it’s a massive club with a massive history. So, to get in Europe with that fixture, it’s a symbol[/b].”[/p][p]While the 50-year-old tactician is excited about the draw, he also recognises the physical demands that will come with the additional travel.[/p][p]The Black Cats will have to balance their European commitments with their Premier League schedule, making squad management and preparation particularly important.[/p][p]Le Bris admitted he would naturally prefer shorter journeys but accepted that difficult away trips are part of competing in Europe.[/p][p]He added: "[b]We will see, we will have a long journey and it’s always better to have shorter trips. That’s obvious but its going to be demanding[/b].”[/p][image alt="Sunderland vs Ipswich" id="648ca767-6589-451d-816d-92e4ac65f914" credit-line="Alan Walter / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia" guid="11381e35-441b-4600-8e63-4083c98219bf" original-width="1400" original-height="932" /][h2]Le Bris delivers team news ahead of Fulham clash[/h2][p]After a disappointing start to the 2026/27 Premier League campaign, Sunderland will be looking to bounce back when they host [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/fulham/69ZiU2Om/"]Fulham[/a] on Sunday.[/p][p]The Black Cats suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ipswich/thqhB2MB/"]Ipswich Town[/a] at Portman Road in their opening league fixture, leaving Le Bris’ side eager to respond against the Cottagers.[/p][p]Ahead of the potentially entertaining encounter, the manager provided a squad update.[/p][p]New signing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/methalie-dayann/v71VNtNg/"]Dayann Methalie[/a] will miss the fixture through suspension after accumulating five yellow cards during his time with Ligue 1 side [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/toulouse/MLmY2yB1/"]Toulouse[/a]. [/p][p]However, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ahoka-jules/lWunFlPc/"]Jules Akoha[/a] is available for selection after completing his move to Sunderland from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/antwerp/rVpPxw8H/"]Royal Antwerp[/a].[/p][p]“[b]Dayann will be suspended because he received five yellow cards in France[/b],” he stated.[/p][p]“[b]It is always better to have the full squad available, but we will manage the situation. Jules is available[/b].”[/p][embed guid="69d5ee75-4f86-4acc-b0d3-6f573b171336" url="https://x.com/sportingshina/status/2093364004601106938" social-type="twitter" /][p]Le Bris admitted Sunderland’s defeat to the Tractor Boys bore similarities to their away game against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/burnley/z3dmTMMO/"]Burnley[/a] last season. [/p][p]While refusing to single out any player for blame, the Frenchman insisted his side can learn from the experience ahead of Alvaro Arbeloa and his men’s visit.[/p][p]“[b]It’s always difficult at the beginning of the season to find the right balance between taking risks, trying to disrupt the opponent’s shape and being ready to manage turnovers[/b],” he said.[/p][p]“[b]We made a few mistakes, and they punished us in transition. On the other hand, we delivered 19 crosses but only connected with two or three. We were not dangerous enough[/b].[/p][p]“It’s a tough balance, and we knew that before the game. We can learn from the experience and move forward.[/p][p]“[b]We win as a team and lose as a team, so we don’t want to blame any individual player. Obviously, we have a collective tactical structure, but we also have individual responsibilities. It’s always a mix of both[/b].[/p][p]“We want to improve as a team, but at the same time, every player needs to improve individually.”[/p][p]Sunderland are winless in their last six Premier League home games against Fulham, recording three draws and three defeats since their 1-0 victory in January 2009.[/p][image alt="Shina Oludare" id="77f4edee-493b-45e2-b24b-0d9a1e05766a" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="827b73e1-4776-40ef-8e4f-85b3b8097dd8" original-width="1200" original-height="381" /]