From Gattuso to a RedBird derby – Milan await Europa League draw fate

AC Milan will find out their opponents in the Europa League play-off round today as the draw will take place this afternoon, and there is the possibility of a reunion with Gennaro Gattuso.

Today’s edition of Tuttosport (via PianetaMilan) recalls that the draw for the knockout stages of each European competition will take place today at 13:00 CET in Nyon, Switzerland, with Roma and Milan awaiting their fate knowing they cannot draw each other.

Who are the potential opponents for Stefano Pioli’s side in the play-off round? The possible meeting with Olympique Marseille – coached by none ther than Gattuso – is undoubtedly tantalising. Milan, among other things, have bad memories against the French side.

Elimination from the European Cup in 1991 resulting in one-year ban from European competitions following the ‘Vélodrome night’ when Adriano Galliani withdrew the team from the field due to a failure with the floodlights, losing the return match in France by default after the 1-1 at San Siro. Then, obviously, the defeat in the 1993 final in Munich.

Among the other formidable opponents in today’s draw, Sporting CP’s Rúben Amorim stand out. A trip to Azerbaijan to face Qarabağ would be taxing, while Ligue 1 side Toulouse would be an interesting narrative given the RedBird Capital link.

SC Freibur , Sparta Prague and Rennes are the other three sides that the Rossoneri can get today. We will see what fate Nyon reserves for the Diavolo.