Sunderland’s return to European football is a stark contrast to their previous foray in the early 1970s. Back then, the club’s participation in the European Cup Winners’ Cup was driven by financial necessity, as they needed funds to upgrade their floodlights to meet the demands of color television. In 1973, the club increased admission prices for a key match against Hungarian side Vasas, but the move was met with a modest crowd of under 23,000. Today, more than half a century later, the club faces a different challenge: rising living costs and the gig economy, but the optimism is palpable, with nearly 49,000 fans expected at the Stadium of Light for their Europa League opener against AZ Alkmaar. The match will be broadcast in high definition, though captain Granit Xhaka humorously suggested fans might need to adjust their screens, joking, “The stadium will be on fire.” Xhaka, 33, has stayed at Sunderland despite interest from his friend Xabi Alonso, who coaches at Chelsea. His decision was influenced by the opportunity to play in European competitions, a goal he emphasized after a dramatic 7-0 win over Chelsea earlier in the season. That victory helped the club secure a top-seven Premier League finish and their second European campaign in recent years. Manager Régis Le Bris now faces the challenge of managing a second consecutive top-flight season alongside the demands of European matches, including a trip to the San Siro in December. This has even led to a shift in fan culture, with the once-popular Newcastle chant “You’ll never see a Mackem in Milan” being replaced by “Mackem in Milan” T-shirts worn proudly by Sunderland supporters. AZ Alkmaar, a Dutch team known for their attacking style, have started the Eredivisie season strongly with five wins and a draw. Xhaka may face Kees Smit, a 20-year-old Dutch midfielder seen as one of the most promising talents in Europe. Unlike in 1973-74, when Sunderland, a Second Division team, were considered underdogs in European competition, Le Bris’s team aims to be seen as worthy participants. “It’s a privilege to be here,” Le Bris said, adding, “I’m proud but we’ve earned it. The players worked very hard last season. Now we have a good opportunity and it’s important to go all in.” The journey of Le Bris and his playmaker Enzo Le Fée has been remarkable, with their partnership beginning when Le Fée was just 12 years old. The club has transformed significantly under owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, who aims to make this European campaign the start of many more. Unlike the 1973-74 season, which ended in a narrow defeat after the departure of manager Bob Stokoe, Louis-Dreyfus is focused on long-term success. The current squad features several players with European experience, including Nordi Mukiele, Reinildo, and Xhaka, who believe this experience contributes to the right mindset. “To succeed in Europe you need energy in the dressing room,” Xhaka said. “And that is what we have.” He expressed confidence in the team’s unity and determination, believing they will demonstrate their strength game by game.