Sunderland host AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday to end a 53-year continental absence.
The tie follows a seventh-place Premier League finish last season under Régis Le Bris. The head coach must now manage domestic and continental demands as midweek fixtures stretch his squad.
Owner Vision Secures Midfield Anchor
Swiss chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus accelerated this rapid transformation during the 2025 summer window. The owner personally convinced veteran midfielder Granit Xhaka to leave Bayer Leverkusen for Wearside. This decisive executive intervention established an elite culture within the dressing room.
Le Bris relies heavily on his captain to organise the team. Speaking to bluewin.ch, the manager admitted: “He always finds solutions,” when discussing Xhaka’s tactical influence.
Xhaka has fully embraced the responsibility of leading this emerging side. “I want to enjoy European competition with this club and take another step forward,” the midfielder told bluewin.ch.
Anticipation Builds For Historic Tie
The 33-year-old recognises the significance of Wednesday’s milestone for the supporters. “It means a lot. We knew that last season we wrote something in our history to be back after 53 years, and starting to feel the excitement from the people as well,” he told VAVEL.
The squad must quickly adapt their tactical plans to handle the relentless elite schedule. Following the Alkmaar clash, Sunderland travel to face Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
