Sunderland open their Europa League campaign at home against AZ. For the English side, this will be their second time playing in a European competition, with their first time being in 1973/74. The Black Cats secured qualification to the second tier of European football in their first season back in the English Premier League, while AZ earned qualification after a convincing win over NEC in the final of last season’s KNVB Beker. Sunderland’s form going into this game is quite positive despite some poor results, having won only once against Fulham (1-0), while losing to newly promoted Ipswich (2-1), and drawing with Brentford (1-1) while being the better side. They’ll be coming out of the weekend with a loss against Arsenal (0-2), though a spirited performance against the reigning English champions can give them enough confidence to start their European journey with a win. Brian Brobbey is still searching for his first goal of the season; however, he might struggle against AZ, as he has only scored once in 10 meetings with the Dutch side. AZ are currently tied for first place with PSV after 6 matches in the Eredivisie. The team from Alkmaar had won all games of the season prior to last weekend, when Willem II shockingly grabbed a point at the AFAS Stadion; nonetheless, they will go into this game with enough confidence after positive results this season, having scored 23 goals in their 7 matches this season, evidenced by the fact that from their last starting eleven, only center back Wouter Goes and goalkeeper Jari de Busser didn’t score a goal this season. With many players to highlight, there is only one who really needs to be named: Ro-Zangelo Daal. The 22-year old has five goals and an assist to his name already while averaging over an 8.0 in his first 7 matches this season. Another player who has been dangerous is left wingback Mateo Chávez; the Mexican has a goal and three assists so far in the Eredivisie. This game is sure to be on the watchlist for this week’s Europa League games, with the Mackems who will create an incredible atmosphere at the Stadium of Light against the very attacking AZ to play attractive football.