Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has described the club's forthcoming Europa League fixture at the San Siro as "a symbol" of their upward trajectory, a direct riposte to years of Newcastle United fans' taunts.
For years, Newcastle supporters have chanted "You'll never see a Mackem in Milan" at their local rivals. Now, after Sunderland finished seventh in the Premier League last season, the draw in Monaco on Friday paired them with a trip to face AC Milan, a fixture that Le Bris acknowledges is loaded with meaning.
"To get back in Europe with this fixture, it's a symbol," said Le Bris. "It's iconic. Milan is a massive club and it's a massive story."
Le Bris revels in the moment
Le Bris, who arrived from Brittany two years ago, quickly learned of the St James' Park faithful's perceived superiority over Sunderland supporters. Now, the tables have turned, and he is enjoying the moment.
"I'm aware of it [the Newcastle fans' Milan jibes], but I want to speak more about us," he said. "We are proud to be in Sunderland and our fans deserve to be in this position. It's [going to be] a huge experience and we are very proud to be part of it but we want to be efficient. We want to be competitive in the Europa League."
As Sunderland fans began ordering T-shirts and sweatshirts emblazoned with "Mackem in Milan" to wear in northern Italy, Le Bris also welcomed the news that three players—goalkeeper Robin Roefs, winger Romaine Mundle, and forward Wilson Isidor—have signed new long-term contracts at the Stadium of Light.
"They see their future in Sunderland because they trust the club and like the environment and they trust the ambition of the club," said Le Bris, whose side will also face AZ, Dinamo Zagreb, Levski Sofia, and Jagiellonia at home, with Anderlecht, Lech Poznan, and Torreense away.
Transfer window updates
Le Bris, whose team host Fulham on Sunday, declined to comment on Sunderland's attempt to sign Jack Grealish on loan from Manchester City, but it is believed the former England winger is now most likely to re-join Everton. Sunderland remain in the hunt for a right winger and a striker this summer.
"I trust the recruitment staff," said Le Bris. "We are well aligned about the targets we need to make the team better and I still think that we will succeed in the transfer market."
Meanwhile, Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle is convinced new arrival Nico González will not take long to hit the ground running following his big-money move from Manchester City. The Spaniard could make his debut on Saturday at Tottenham after a deal that could rise to £52m, with Jaissle excited by the 24-year-old's potential.
"He trained with us and he looks sharp," Jaissle said. "It will take time [to adapt] and I can not tell you how long it takes but he's a smart player, he has huge potential and already brings so much quality in the squad. He will adapt fast into our way of playing and then we can enjoy."
Jaissle is hopeful González will not be the last arrival, with Belgium wideman Matias Fernandez-Pardo tipped to move from Lille. "It's the first message of the morning – to push," Jaissle said. "The management and Ross [Wilson], the sporting director, they're doing an amazing job, trying everything. We want to be smart, we don't want to act in panic, so I'm really optimistic things will happen."
Forest and Ipswich bolster squads
Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner expects more signings after the arrival of striker Liam Delap from Chelsea for a club-record £45m fee on Thursday. Glasner would not comment on a reported £22m offer for former Crystal Palace wing-back Daniel Munoz but admitted prospective deals were close.
"I think we will add two players," Glasner said before Saturday's trip to Liverpool. "One we have added, that means we will have at least one more signing. Close deals, quite close to be done, but now from today our focus is on the Liverpool match. That is the most important thing in the next 30 hours and then we have three more days to get the deals over the line."
Delap left Chelsea after scoring only two goals in all competitions following his move from Ipswich last summer, and was made to train away from the first-team squad by new Blues manager Xabi Alonso. Glasner said: "It is clear you have to look for a club where you have better chances to get minutes and reignite your career, and that is why we think we are the right club for him."
Ipswich manager Gary O'Neil has insisted the club are not finished in the transfer window after Argentina international and World Cup winner Exequiel Palacios arrived at Portman Road on Thursday. Talks remain ongoing with Aston Villa forward Tammy Abraham over a season-long loan, but O'Neil is hopeful more can occur.
"No, nothing to report on that [Abraham move]," O'Neil said. "We're hopefully not finished. We're still trying to do some business. As to who that is or what positions that will be in, there's no update from me. We're still working hard to try and improve the group, but my focus now is firmly on the game at the weekend and making sure that we're fully prepared for what is going to be an incredibly tough test."
Ipswich could have Florentino Luis involved at Old Trafford, with Palacios set to make his debut. Azor Matusiwa and Jack Taylor remain sidelined.
United wait for Baleba
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has confirmed "really exciting" addition Carlos Baleba will be unable to make his debut for around three weeks due to an ankle injury. United completed the £70m signing of the 22-year-old from Brighton on Tuesday, further bolstering their midfield after the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.
United's director of football, Jason Wilcox, hailed Baleba as "an elite midfielder with immense potential to develop further," but fans will have to wait to see him play. The Cameroon international arrived at Old Trafford with an ankle injury, which Carrick says will rule him out of Sunday's Premier League home opener against promoted Ipswich and beyond.
"He's got a little ankle issue, so maybe a couple of weeks or so, maybe three weeks," Carrick said. "We'll see but we knew that before, so it's no major issue but it'll be great to have him back when we can."
Asked if Baleba and Amad Diallo could return before the new three-week international break, Carrick said: "It's obviously new, the break to deal with, but we'll wait and see. We're hopeful but I don't want to put any deadlines on it just yet. Amad won't be involved this week. He'll be out for a little bit longer. Mase [Mason Mount] is back around the group, which was great. Trained this week, so that's a big positive for us."
