The draw for the first phase of the UEFA Europa League took place on Friday morning at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, revealing an exciting schedule for Portuguese clubs Benfica and Torreense. Benfica, aiming to secure a spot in the top eight of the tournament, will face a significant challenge in their opening match against AC Milan on September 16 at the iconic San Siro. The Italian side has started their Serie A season strongly, winning their first two matches against Torino and Venezia. Benfica’s group stage includes matches against notable teams such as Celtic and Viktoria Plzen, with their home games scheduled at Estádio da Luz. The club’s subsequent fixtures will see them travel to Nijmegen to face NEC on January 21, followed by a home match against AZ on January 28. Meanwhile, Torreense, fresh off their victory in the Taça de Portugal, will embark on their first European adventure with a match against Lilleström in Norway on September 17. The team from Torres Vedras will also host Sunderland in their home opener on October 15. Their group stage journey includes away games against Real Sociedad and Ferencváros, with a final home match against Olympiacos on January 28. The Europa League group stage promises to be a thrilling experience for both clubs, with Benfica looking to assert their dominance and Torreense eager to make a mark in their inaugural European campaign. The full schedule for the group stage has been confirmed, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead. Prepared and Edited by AboMatrix