Sunderland began their European campaign on a positive note, securing a 1-0 victory against AZ Alkmaar at the Stadium of Light. While captain Granit Xhaka has suggested that reaching the Europa League final is a realistic ambition for manager Régis Le Bris’s squad, the match highlighted a need for greater clinical efficiency moving forward. Despite a flurry of missed opportunities, the home side demonstrated heart and unity to overcome a resilient Dutch opponent.
The atmosphere was electric as the match kicked off beneath a giant tifo displaying the message, “New shores to conquer.” Among the spectators in the VIP section was 82-year-old Jimmy Montgomery, the legendary goalkeeper who featured in the club’s 1973 FA Cup success and their previous short-lived European outing 53 years ago.
AZ, who entered the contest with an unbeaten record in their domestic Eredivisie campaign, nearly claimed an early lead. Kees Smit played a dangerous ball to Ro-Zangelo Daal, whose low shot required a crucial save from Robin Roefs. Sunderland gradually found their rhythm, with Enzo Le Fée testing Jari De Busser with a half-volley, while Kevin Danso also forced the AZ goalkeeper into action shortly after. A vital interception from Trai Hume prevented Ayoub Oufkir from capitalizing on a dangerous counterattack.
Although Sunderland dominated the closing stages of the first half, manager Le Bris admitted his team suffered from “overthinking” in the final third. The first period saw Le Fée strike the post after a creative setup by Wilson Isidor, and Trai Hume sent another effort narrowly wide. Oufkir was lucky to avoid more than a yellow card following a reckless challenge on Le Fée, leading to his substitution by Weslley Patati at halftime.
The visitors returned with renewed energy, and Smit nearly broke the deadlock with a curling effort that drifted inches wide. However, Le Fée remained central to Sunderland’s efforts, orchestrating play and delivering a precise pass that Isidor could not convert. The deadlock was finally broken when Patati fouled Le Fée inside the area. Four days after David Raya denied him from the spot against Arsenal, the midfielder showed immense resilience to send De Busser the wrong way with a clinical low strike into the corner.
Le Bris later praised the character of his playmaker, whom he has mentored since his academy days at Lorient. “Enzo’s a great player,” the manager said, dismissing claims that the midfielder might be Champions League caliber to focus on his current squad’s collective performance. “I trust him and his quality. I’m proud and pleased for the players and the fans, AZ are a really good side but we played with heart and togetherness.”
The match concluded with both sides seeking further goals; substitute Brian Brobbey and Nordi Mukiele could have extended the lead, while a late volley from Patati threatened to snatch a draw for the visitors. Ultimately, the singular penalty proved enough to get Sunderland’s European journey off to a winning start.
Elsewhere in the Europa League, Benfica defeated Ruben Amorim’s Milan 2-0, with Dodi Lukebakio and Jakub Kaminski scoring. Bayer Leverkusen beat Celje 2-0, and Lyon secured a 2-1 victory over Anderlecht. Omonia Nicosia shocked Celta Vigo 1-0, while Roman Yaremchuk’s late goal earned Olympiacos a win against Jagiellonia Bialystok. Sparta Prague recorded a 4-1 win over Ararat-Armenia, while the ties between Sturm Graz and Rennes, and Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Dinamo Zagreb, both finished as scoreless draws. The report also notes that it is rarely a good idea to dismiss Xhaka but reaching that showpiece in Frankfurt will necessitate considerably more efficient finishing on his team’s part than proved evident on a highly evocative night on Wearside. The report also notes that thanks to a second-half penalty from the indefatigable Enzo Le Fée – appropriately the game’s outstanding player – the game ended happily for Sunderland as the home side launched their big return to Europe with a morale-boosting win. The report also notes that in Le Fée, possessed both a high-calibre attacking playmaker and a tireless off‑the‑ball warrior who, time after time, regained possession for his team, along the way they missed a litany of chances but. The report also notes that the Sunderland manager’s smile lit up the room. “Enzo’s a great player,” he said. “I trust him and his quality, when Le Bris was invited later to agree that a player he first coached as a 12-year-old in Lorient’s academy was Champions League class. The report also notes that the now 82-year-old hero of Sunderland’s 1973 FA Cup triumph against Leeds and their European goalkeeper during that last, albeit fairly short‑lived, adventure in the Cup Winners’ Cup 53 years ago, occupants of the VIP seats included Jimmy Montgomery. The report also notes that ear-splitting preamble featuring a giant tifo of a sailing ship floating above the message: “New shores to conquer”, kick-off was prefaced by a spine-tingling. The report also notes that not that AZ were inclined to surrender lightly. The report also notes that winning five and drawing one of their opening Eredivisie games, leeroy Echteld’s team had enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season.
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