Andy Sixsmith

Matchweek 2 for Sunderland - and a busy week that’s ended with the perfect Europa League draw for the club.

That’s right - you will be seeing a Mackem in Milan this season. In fact. You’ll be seeing a lot of Mackems in Milan after Sunderland drew the glamour draw - AC Milan in the San Siro in phase one of the Europa League.

There’s a breakdown of the other 7 teams the Black Cats have been paired with, while Regis Le Bris gave his reaction to me in today’s press conference.

Elsewhere, there’s an interview with Chris Rigg and Noah Sadiki, thoughts on the three contract signings for Mundle, Roefs and Isidor, and a little look at how busy Sunderland will be in the remainder of the transfer window - including links with Jack Grealish and Igor Paixao.

And all of THAT is before Sunderland’s first home game of the Premier League season - with Regis saying the side need to earn the atmosphere at the Stadium of Light against Fulham this Sunday.

Every week I’ll be bringing you Matchweek - discussing the press conferences, player interviews and insights into my role as the North East Premier League reporter.

Drop me your thoughts below - but the link is in the comments!

SAFC Matchweek 2: Europa League Draw | New Contracts | Jack Grealish Linked?! Sunderland fans - it’s been a busy old week at the club - new contr...

Matchweek 2 is here... and a week that’s brought two games and one big signing for Newcastle United…

Nico Gonzalez completed his £50 million move from Manchester City, while there were positive signs for Newcastle from their games against Liverpool and West Brom.

I sat down with new boy Amar Dedic who told me what his first impressions of St James’ Park were - and gave me an insight into what Mathias Jaissle is like as a manager.

There’s four days left of the transfer window which I take a look at with rumours linking Newcastle with moves for Matthias Fernandez-Pardo and Bilal El Khannouss - while the Geordies gear up for a reunion with Sandro Tonali at Tottenham this weekend.

New episode of Matchweek is up now. Every single week this season, I'll bring you the press conferences, the interviews and everything else from my job covering Newcastle United for the Premier League.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijAZs3bQork&t=126s

Link in the comments. Let me know what you think 👇

NUFC Matchweek 2: Nico Gonzalez Signing | Amar Dedic Interview | Sandro Tonali Reunion Newcastle fans - it’s been a busy old week at the club - Nico Gonza...

🚨 Amar Dedic tells me he, ‘enjoyed every single second’ of his Newcastle United debut against Liverpool last weekend in an interview for the Premier League.

🗣️ “I was just really happy to feel that moment when I walked out at St James’. To feel the fans. They were amazing. And I enjoyed every single second on the pitch. I was so proud.

🗣️ “I’ve played in many games with good atmospheres but nothing like that. This game was so special to me - my debut. I knew the Newcastle fans had so much passion - but every tackle, every positive moment - they celebrate it like it’s a goal!

🗣️ “This is what I love. This is why I wanted to join Newcastle. A beautiful club. Beautiful fans. This is what makes me very happy.”

🔴⚪️ This is incredible stuff from Wilson Isidor on Instagram.

🏟️ He’s posted a picture of himself as a 19-year old at the San Siro, simply saying, “Always believe in you and your goals.”

👏 From a teenager’s dreams - to playing at the San Siro with Sunderland as a professional footballer. What a story. What a journey.

🔴⚪️ Regis Le Bris press conference headlines ahead of Sunderland v Fulham.

✈️ On the Europa League draw: “53 years later Sunderland are back in Europe. Strong opponents. Different experiences. It’s iconic to get Milan.”

❌ Dayann Methalie won’t play v Fulham - he’s suspended for a game after 5 yellow cards for Toulouse.

✅ Jules Ahoka is available.

🔀 On transfers: “I trust Flo and Kyril and the recruitment staff. We’re working hard behind the scenes.”

🚨 BREAKING: Sunderland’s full fixture list for the Europa League:

🇮🇹 Milan (A)
🇳🇱 AZ Alkmaar (H)
🇭🇷 GNK Dinamo (H)
🇧🇪 Anderlecht (A)
🇵🇱 Jagiellonia (H)
🇵🇱 L**h Poznan (A)
🇧🇬 Levski Sofia (H)
🇵🇹 Torreense (A)

🗓️ Dates for the fixtures will be announced over the weekend.

🚨 Sunderland will play AC Milan at the San Siro in the Europa League!!

🔴⚪️ You will see a Mackem in Milan this season 😂