Sunderland fans are embarking on their first European away day since 1973 as the Black Cats prepare to face Portuguese Cup winners Torreense on matchday two of this season’s Europa League.
Regis Le Bris’ men kicked off their league phase campaign with a home win against Dutch Cup winners AZ Alkmaar as an Enzo Le Fee penalty handed his side all three points on a truly historic night at the Stadium of Light. With a solid start under their belts, Sunderland will now hope to continue their push for a place in the knockout phase by doubling their points tally against a Torreense side that have struggled to find form in domestic competition this season.
The Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria.placeholder image
The Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria. | Google Maps.
The second tier outfit sprung a major shock when they lifted the Portuguese Cup for the first time in their history when they claimed a 2-1 win in a final showdown with an all-conquering Sporting CP side. That ensured Torreense qualified for the Europa League for the first time - but their fans’ hopes of watching their side take on continental opposition at their 2,400-capacity Estádio Manuel Marques home have been dashed by UEFA regulations.
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Fixtures in the league phase of the Europa League fall under category four of UEFA’s competition guidelines and one of the requirements to host home game is that a stadium must hold a capacity in excess of 8,000. As Torreense’s traditional home falls short, they have been forced to move their ‘home’ fixtures to the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, home of Portuguese second tier rivals União Desportiva de Leiria. That represents a trip of just over 50 miles for home supporters to see their side in their first ever European home fixture in a stadium that can hold up to 24,000.
The Echo’s Europa League coverage is sponsored by Amari Plastics.placeholder image
The Echo’s Europa League coverage is sponsored by Amari Plastics. | Amari Plastics.
The Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa underwent a redevelopment ahead of Euro 2004 and hosted two Croatia fixtures as they battled to draws with France and Switzerland and most recently played host to Portugal’s 2-1 win in a friendly with Nigeria.
The Echo’s Europa League coverage is sponsored by Amari Plastics. Covering all of North East England and Cumbria, Amari Plastics launched in 1975 and has built a reputation as the region's leading plastic distributor. During this time, we’ve established strong working relationships with businesses in three main market sectors: sign, display & large format printing, building & construction and industrial & engineering.