Sunderland Vs AZ Alkmaar [1-0] Europa League 2026/2027: Why The Black Cats Make Better Underdogs - Tactical Analysis

Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar faced off in the UEFA Europa League in what was the Black Cats' first game in Europe since 1973/1974.

It was also only the second time the North East side have been in European competition.

Régis Le Bris' side finished seventh in the Premier League last season, in their first campaign in the top division since they suffered relegation in 2017.

They've started this campaign fairly well too, with one win, one draw and two defeats in their opening games, one of which came against champions Arsenal.

They were facing AZ, who are now seasoned professionals in Europe, having played in some form of UEFA competition since the same season Sunderland were relegated (2017).

Under Lee-Roy Echteld, who has been in charge since January, they've started this term with the joint-best record in the league.

Their five wins and one draw have them level with title favourites PSV Eindhoven.

Despite the European pedigree of the Dutch side far outweighing their English opposition, it was Sunderland who were favoured going into this.

The game was incredibly even and was decided by a contentious 66th-minute penalty.

This tactical analysis looks at a game that had chances for both sides, and some of the big moments that decided the outcome.

Sunderland Vs AZ Alkmaar Lineups & Formations

Sunderland Lineup Vs AZ Alkmaar

Le Bris made four changes from the team that was beaten by Arsenal on Saturday.

Sticking with a 4-2-3-1, Robin Roefs started in goal, in front of a back four (from left to right) of Reinildo Mandava, Omar Alderete (who came in for Dan Ballard), Kevin Danso and Nordi Mukiele.

The trusted duo of Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki made up the midfield pivot, behind a three of new signing Malick Fofana on the left (who replaced Nilson Angulo), Enzo Le Fée in the No. 10 role, and Trai Hume on the right (replacing Thomas Meunier).

Wilson Isidor replaced Brian Brobbey as centre-forward.

The French manager made all five changes during the game.

Ballard replaced Alderete on 52'.

A triple change was made on 67' with Angulo, Meunier and Brobbey replacing Fofana, Hume and Isidor.

He then brought on local hero Chris Rigg for Danso with six minutes to go.

AZ Alkmaar Lineup Vs Sunderland

AZ also lined up in a 4-2-3-1.

Jari De Busser was in goal, while the back four consisted of Elijah Dijkstra and Mateo Chávez at right and left back, with Lewis Schouten and Wouter Goes (all of whom were 22 years old, apart from Dijkstra, who is 20).

There was more experience in the double pivot, with Peer Koopmeiners and 35-year-old Jordy Clasie shepherding the midfield.

It was back to youth in the attacking unit, with left winger Ro-Zangelo Daal (22), wonderkid Kees Smit (20) and Ayoub Oufkir (20) behind striker Mexx Meerdink (23).

Echteld also used all substitutions, with Weslley Patati, Valdemar Byskov, Dave Kwakman, Calvin Stengs and Jizz Hornkamp replacing Oufkir, Smit, Clasie, Meerdink and Schouten.

A Dominant First Half

While the entire game was a fairly even affair, the first half was actually a dominant display from the home team.

There was clear intent and purpose from Régis Le Bris to dominate the ball, get it into the opposition box and win their duels.

Sunderland did all of that.

Sunderland Average Position Map Vs AZ Alkmaar

They did this by being extremely compact, limiting the spaces between defence, midfield and attack, and then playing short passes before getting it into dangerous areas.

Sunderland had 58% of the ball in the first half.

They won the expected goals 1.19 to 0.26.

They had 13 shots to AZ's two.

They had 19 touches in the opposition box to AZ's eight.

Most of Sunderland's expected goals actually came through their set-pieces, particularly corners.

With Danso and Alderete, they utilised aerial dominance, and Le Fée's on-the-money delivery ensured that the first contact was usually theirs.

For all their dominance, though, it was AZ who had the best opportunity of the half, all down to sloppy play from the home side.

Roefs has the ball in build-up, and Sunderland are positioned pretty well with Danso looking to receive on the outside.

AZ have set up well here, too; they have men covering the central spaces.

Roefs, almost inexcusably, plays it into a central area.

It's easily picked up by Smit, and AZ have a vast amount of space to exploit.