Enzo Le Fée makes amends from the spot as Sunderland overcome AZ

Sunderland marked their return to European competition after a 53-year absence with a hard-fought victory over an unbeaten AZ Alkmaar side on Wearside. Captain Granit Xhaka stated that it is not unrealistic for Régis Le Bris’s squad to dream of reaching the Europa League final in Frankfurt next spring, according to The Guardian.

Enzo Le Fée Secures the Winner on Wearside

The match turned in the second half when the indefatigable Enzo Le Fée converted from the penalty spot. According to The Guardian, Le Fée was appropriately the game’s outstanding player, though Sunderland missed a litany of chances throughout the fixture that left manager Régis Le Bris wanting more efficiency in front of goal.

Before the breakthrough, Sunderland’s Dutch goalkeeper Robin Roefs kept the home side level early on by extending a boot to deny Ro-Zangelo Daal’s low shot. Le Fée also tested visiting goalkeeper Jari De Busser with a sharp half-volley, while Wilson Isidor narrowly missed the rebound. De Busser was later forced to tip a fine shot from Kevin Danso over the crossbar, and Le Fée saw another effort strike the post.

AZ Alkmaar’s Early Resistance and Squad Rotation

Leeroy Echteld’s AZ arrived on Wearside carrying an unbeaten start to the season in the Eredivisie, having won five and drawn one of their opening league fixtures. The visitors demonstrated their danger when Ayoub Oufkir tested Sunderland on the counter-attack, only to be stopped by an interception from Trai Hume. Oufkir was later shown a yellow card for a reckless sliding challenge on Le Fée and was substituted at half-time by Echteld for Weslley Patati.

Ahead of an upcoming Premier League fixture against Manchester City—and sandwiched after a home defeat to Arsenal—Le Bris opted for light rotation. He left Brian Brobbey, Dan Ballard, and Thomas Meunier on the bench at kick-off. Among the VIP spectators on Wearside was Jimmy Montgomery, the 82-year-old hero of Sunderland’s 1973 FA Cup triumph and their goalkeeper during their last European adventure in the Cup Winners’ Cup 53 years ago.

Second-Half Pressure and Granit Xhaka’s European Ambition

AZ emerged for the second half with renewed intensity. Kees Smit turned Sunderland’s defence inside out before curling a shot just wide of the post with Roefs stranded. Prompted by Smit’s threat, Le Bris brought on Ballard to replace Omar Alderete, who was already carrying a yellow card.

Sunderland’s captain, Granit Xhaka, believes it is not unrealistic to dream about Régis Le Bris’s side travelling all the way to next spring’s Europa League final.

The Guardian reporting on Granit Xhaka

Despite the defensive adjustments and sustained pressure from the Eredivisie side, Le Fée’s penalty proved decisive. As Sunderland now turn their attention to domestic duties away at Manchester City, Le Bris’s team must convert their numerous opportunities far more efficiently if they are to sustain a deep run in this season’s competition.