Sunderland will be aiming to avoid a number of cliched pitfalls this season, including ‘second season syndrome’ and the supposed ‘Thursday-Sunday curse’ that is inflicted upon teams that qualify for the Europa or Conference Leagues.
The Black Cats enjoyed a quite simply superb return to the Premier League last season, finishing seventh to qualify for the Europa League group stages. The subsequent draw for that competition, conducted on the eve of their first home game of the season this Sunday against Fulham, hammered home just how far the North-east side have come in such a short space of time.
Regis Le Bris’ side – who let us not forget were playing in League One as recently as 2022 – have been handed an away fixture against the mighty AC Milan in a game that will set pulses racing on Wearside. Supporters will no doubt be eager to get their first European campaign since 1973 underway but probably of more significance to the club is maintaining the equilibrium and remaining in the top flight. It is a balancing act that many clubs have struggled with and it will be fascinating to see how Sunderland deal with it.
When quizzed on their clutch of European fixtures, which also includes games against Anderlecht and AZ Alkmaar, Le Bris said: “Fifty-three years later Sunderland are back in Europe so it’s a bit unknown. We can expect strong opponents, different cultures, different experiences and we need that to get better. It’s a huge privilege and we are really proud of this opportunity.”
He was particularly pleased, understandably, with the draw against seven-times European champions Milan: “It’s iconic, Milan. It’s a massive club, massive history so to get back in Europe with that fixture, it’s a symbol.”
Their visitors Fulham are no strangers to European excursions themselves, having reached the Europa League final back in 2010.
Whilst they were steady if not spectacular under previous manager Marco Silva, who led them to four consecutive mid-table finishes in the top flight, there is plenty of intrigue as to how the future will pan out under new boss Alvaro Arbeloa.
The Cottagers proved a tough nut to crack for Chelsea in last week’s opener, ultimately going down 3-2 to their West London neighbours. But they showed plenty of spirit and tenacity and an early blueprint on how they will approach games under their new head coach. They swatted aside Wimbledon in a straightforward League Cup win on Thursday in a performance that will have boosted the confidence of those players involved, not least of all returning forward Rodrigo Muniz who ended a year-long goal drought.
With fellow forward Gonzalo Garcia also scoring in his first two games this season, their manager hopes it bodes well for the trip to the Stadium of Light.
“Goals are very important for strikers. We know that and Rodrigo is working hard,” he said. “We have very good strikers with him and Gonzalo. They are different strikers but we need both. Gonzalo always wants to score goals and help the team. I really love that ambition, that character, that winning mentality.
“They both have scored and they are so happy now in the dressing room. Sunday will be a difficult game against a European team. We know away games are always difficult in the Premier League. We need to play with the same character and mentality as we do at home but it won’t be so easy.”
