From Bury to AC Milan: Bournemouth’s journey to ‘dreamland’

Bournemouth are preparing to host AC Milan in their first European campaign, exactly 15 years after losing at home to Bury in League One. The fixture captures the scale of the club’s rise from financial crisis and near liquidation to an established Premier League side, making it a landmark occasion for the Dorset club and its supporters.

In 2011, Bournemouth had 12 points from 14 third-tier matches and later finished 21st in League Two before winning promotion to the Premier League in 2015. Their Europa League win over Sturm Graz drew 12,070 fans, their largest attendance of the 21st century, and more than 12,000 are expected for Milan. The Italian visitors, managed by Ruben Amorim, are fourth in Serie A with 15 points from seven games; the supplied article text ends before completing its account of Milan.