During the early 2010's, the landscape of football on the English South Coast looked very different to what it does today.

AFC Bournemouth were situated in the Championship during the 2013/14 season, while Southampton finished in a very impressive eighth spot in the Premier League, that exact same campaign, under Mauricio Pochettino.

The Cherries would eventually win promotion to the big time, and at the time of writing, they are a dominant force when you take in the close knit geography of the South Coast, alongside Brighton and Hove Albion.

Amazingly, a club that nearly went bust 2008 is now competing in the Europa League, as Marco Rose's men hosted AC Milan this mid-week, in a surreal match-up at the Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth's surreal match with AC Milan

The Rossoneri are more associated with the Champions League, than the Europa League, with the red and black side of Milan lifting that coveted trophy seven times during their illustrious history.

After finishing fifth in Serie A last season, though, they had to make do with a spot in Europe's second best competition, and this route has handed them a trip to Bournemouth, as opposed to facing the likes of Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

Bournemouth would stun Ruben Amorim's visitors in a magical match under the Vitality Stadium floodlights, as the Cherries - who once fell out of existence barely 20 years ago - beat the might of Milan 3-0.

It's crazy how much can change in football in such a short span of time, as Justin Kluivert, Marcus Tavernier and Amine Adli all got on the scoresheet for the Saints' near neighbours in an unforgettable clash.

Southampton fans will be hoping their own team's moment in the European spotlight arrives down the line, and it isn't that far-fetched that it could happen, after promotion is won...

Saints would love to match this insane rise

Indeed, Bournemouth aren't the only club who have gone on to dine at some exclusive European tables, following on from promotion.

Sunderland are also actively competing in the Europa League this season, only a year or so from clinching promotion to the Premier League, via a very dramatic playoff final win over Sheffield United at Wembley.

Regis Le Bris' outfit has also held its own, with a 1-0 victory collected over AZ Alkmaar last month.

If both the Black Cats and the Cherries can do it, why can't Tonda Eckert's men?

The South Coast titans have done it before, as they managed to consolidate themselves as a Premier League regular during the 2010's, culminating in Europa League football being hit two seasons on the bounce under Ronald Koeman and Claude Puel.

They've never managed to get out of the group stages, however, with Bournemouth set on their way to reaching the knockout rounds now, after that confident 3-0 win over Milan.

Before Southampton start to dream of their own ties with far-off heavyweights, they will need to seal promotion first, with a win on the weekend against West Ham United - who have been crowned Conference League champions in the past - sending out a clear statement that they mean business.

It would be amazing if the Saints were able to hosts teams of Milan's pedigree, after clinching promotion, and acclimatising back to Premier League life swimmingly, but their promotion journey needs to be taken on a game-by-game basis, instead of living in a fantasy world where it will comfortably be sealed.