2026-2027 Europa League: Sunderland vs. AZ, Probable Lineups

Sunderland is ready to return to the European stage after more than half a century. The Stadium of Light will host the match against AZ Alkmaar, part of the first matchday of the Europa League group stage, with the English side aiming to kick off its European campaign with a positive result.

Sunderland earned a spot in the group stage by finishing seventh in the Premier League last season. AZ Alkmaar, on the other hand, qualified by winning the Dutch Cup against NEC, despite finishing seventh in the Eredivisie.

Le Bris’s team heads into its European debut following a 0-2 home loss to Arsenal. That match could have had a different outcome, as noted in the opening text, especially considering Le Fee’s missed penalty when the score was 0-0. In the Premier League, Sunderland has earned 4 points in the first four matchdays.

Le Bris is expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Brobbey as the central forward and Meunier and Angulo on the wings. In midfield, the Xhaka-Sadiki duo is expected to start, while Danso is likely to partner Ballard in the center of the defense.

Probable lineups:

SUNDERLAND (4-2-3-1): Roefs; Mukiele, Danso, Ballard, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Angulo, Le Fee, Meunier; Brobbey. Head Coach: Le Bris.

AZ ALKMAAR (4-2-3-1): De Busser; Dijkstra, Goes, Schouten, Chavez; Koopmeiners, Clasie; Stengs, Smit, Daali; Meerdink. Head Coach: Echteld.