AZ begin their Europa League campaign on Wednesday away to Sunderland. The English side had fallen a long way and for years were known mainly for the Netflix series Sunderland 'Til I Die. Now their football is doing the talking. Voetbalzone speaks to club watcher Philip Smith of the Sunderland Echo ahead of the European cracker about the people's club from north-east England.
By Rian Rosendaal
Popular Dutchmen
Robin Roefs and Brian Brobbey are especially popular with Sunderland supporters, Smith says before the Europa League meeting at the Stadium of Light. ''Roefs played excellently last season and the fans were pleased that he recently signed a new contract. There were fears that his good form would attract the attention of Champions League clubs. He exudes calm and reliability, exactly what every supporter wants from a goalkeeper.''
Smith is just as complimentary about Brobbey, who joined from Ajax in 2025 for €20 million. ''Brobbey has grown into a true cult hero among the fans, partly because he scored the winner in stoppage time last season in the away match against arch-rivals Newcastle United. In addition, the supporters greatly appreciate that he is an old-fashioned striker, a type that is rarely seen in modern football these days.''
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Brobbey is under contract at Sunderland until 30 June 2029. Sunderland lost 0-2 at home to reigning champions Arsenal in a turbulent match last Saturday. Even so, the powerful forward could still leave before then. ''It is possible, because several very big clubs are following his development closely,'' Smith knows. ''Not only in the Premier League, but also during the World Cup. If we look at the step towards becoming a regular striker in the Champions League, scoring more often is probably what Brobbey still needs to add to his game. Of course Sunderland need to create more clear-cut chances for him to do that, but this is probably the area in which he can still take another step forward.''
After finishing an impressive seventh in the Premier League as a promoted side last season, Sunderland booked their place in the Europa League league phase. It is an enticing prospect, though the extra demands could also take their toll. ''There is both enthusiasm and some concern. The priority clearly lies in finding stability in the Premier League and it is difficult to assess what we can expect in Europe, although English clubs do have an excellent record in these competitions thanks to their financial advantage. I think most supporters would be very satisfied with a mid-table place in the league and a successful adventure in the Europa League,'' predicts the club watcher from the local newspaper.
Are Sunderland looking forward to AZ?
For now, all eyes are on AZ's visit to the Stadium of Light, with the Dutch side joint leaders in the Vriendenloterij Eredivisie. The game has certainly caught the imagination among The Black Cats, even if it is not Ajax, PSV or Feyenoord heading to England. ''Of course it is,'' laughs Smith. ''This is Sunderland's first European match in 53 years. So it is a special evening. Not only for the club but also for the city. There will be a special atmosphere and everyone is hugely looking forward to the match. As for AZ: it is true that most of us do not know a great deal about the club, but there is a lot of respect for their start to the season and for the fact that they have far more European experience than Sunderland.''
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Régis Le Bris is the manager tasked with delivering European success this season. The 50-year-old Frenchman took charge of Sunderland in 2024 and had already guided them to promotion to the Premier League a year later. Their first season back in the top flight was a resounding success. Sunderland collected 54 points, their highest Premier League tally since 2001. The Stadium of Light also became an almost impregnable fortress, which secured a European place. For the fans, the absolute highlight was the two wins over rivals Newcastle United. Le Bris is therefore held in extremely high regard by supporters of the current number fourteen, Smith also knows.
''Without doubt he is one of Sunderland's best managers of the modern era. A quarter of a century ago Peter Reid achieved seventh place in the Premier League twice after promotion. But the gap between the Championship and the Premier League is much bigger nowadays. Le Bris's achievement last season was therefore astonishing. Most would probably still put Reid at the top of their list, but Le Bris belongs in that same bracket. And if he has another good season, he may even be regarded as the best manager ever,'' Smith also holds the French coach in the very highest regard.
Drama run in England
AZ are still chasing their first ever win on English soil on Wednesday. The Alkmaar side have taken some heavy defeats there in the past, including against Arsenal and Manchester United. In 2023, West Ham United were too strong in the Conference League semi-finals and went on to win the competition. Aston Villa also proved too strong that same year. In the 2024/25 season, AZ lost twice to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League. Last season, Leeroy Echteld's team went down 3-1 to eventual winners Crystal Palace in the Conference League despite a goal from Sven Mijnans, who has since left for PSV.