OPPOSITION VIEW: AZ
Last time Sunderland AFC played European football, their opponents were Sporting CP. Tonight, the Lads will host Dutch size AZ Alkmaar. With the opposition unbeaten in their first six Eredivisie matches, we spoke to their fans to discuss this momentum occasion…
AZ have started the season brilliantly and sit second in the Eredivisie, are you aiming to win the league or is the goal to get Champions League football for next season?
AZ’s goal is always a top four finish and to play European football at least. We started good, but the 1-1 against Willem II was really disappointing. Our squad does look better than the last few years, so yes we do hope we can squeeze in to the Champions League places this season.
What stage do you think you’ll reach in this year’s Europa League?
In the Europa League we always perform well although we don’t have the same budget as most teams, the goal will be top 24 for sure, but after that its all a bonus.
Can you tell us a bit about your manager Leeroy Echteld?
Echteld is a good manager, he is direct and always speaks the truth, a big difference for us compared to other managers in the past. I think it is a good fit for our relatively young team because he is always sharp.
Who is your best attacking player? Who is your best defensive player?
Our best attacking player is Ro-Zangelo Daal on the left wing, he will play at the top in a few years, really big talent. Also the comeback of Calvin Stengs is something to be excited about as fans. In the defence we have Wouter Goes who is getting better every week and might get his first Netherlands call up soon….
Also at defensive midfield we have Jordy Clasie, our captain, who is still one of the best players in our team. His Premier League experience makes him one of the best in the league if he is fit, unfortunately he is not always fit.
How did your summer transfer window go?
The transfer window was perfect for AZ, we lost two important players with Sven Mijnans (to PSV 13m) and Troy Parrott (to Real Betis 18m) but we expected that and with Kees Smit & Mexx Meerdink we already had their replacements. We managed to get extra experience which was needed, with Wesley Hoedt and Stengs. Also a good midfielder from Midtjylland with Valdemar Byskov and Lewis Schouten who came back from a loan is looking very comfortable.
This is Sunderland’s first European campaign in 53 years. Historically, how have AZ fared in Europe?
Our history in Europe has been really good. In 1981 we played the UEFA Cup final and lost to Ipswich, and since 2004 we have managed to get European football 19 out of the 22 times. AZ is an experienced European team, but to be honest most of the results we get are in home games, in away games we have shown to lack the mindset to kill a game. As was shown in previous years when we should’ve won in London against both West Ham and Tottenham but were defeated.
Sunderland is known in Holland to be a big club with loyal fans, of course the Netflix documentary helped with that, but also before that with Dick Advocaat former AZ manager as your coach, and now with Robin Roefs & Brian Brobbey. So I hope you do well in Europe and enjoy your first games back after 53 years.
Finally, what’s your score prediction?
Sunderland has a way bigger budget than us. But AZ is in good form, and Europa League is all new to you guys, so I predict a 1-3 victory for the boys from Alkmaar.
