AZ Alkmaar begin their UEFA Europa League group stage campaign with an away fixture against English side Sunderland on Thursday night. Manager Pascal Jansen takes his team to the Stadium of Light in strong domestic form, sitting second in the Eredivisie with sixteen points from six games and still unbeaten.
Their last five league matches have yielded four wins and a draw. That run started with a 4-1 victory at FC Utrecht, followed by wins at Fortuna Sittard (0-2) and at home to Go Ahead Eagles (5-2). After a 3-2 triumph at sc Heerenveen, the only dropped points came last Friday in a 1-1 draw with Willem II. Top scorer Ruben Daal, who has four goals this season, was on target in that game.
Sunderland, who play in the Premier League, have had an inconsistent start. The Black Cats lost at home to Arsenal (0-2) last Saturday, but had secured a win over Hull City prior to that. Their home form this month has been mixed.
This is AZ's first European match of the season. The squad travels to England without any fresh injury concerns following the Willem II match. Last week's lineup, featuring goalkeeper Jorn De Busser and midfielders Jordy Clasie and Peer Koopmeiners, provides a solid foundation. The full squad is available for Jansen.
After the European trip, AZ return to Eredivisie action at home to Telstar on Sunday. The complete fixtures schedule shows a busy period ahead for the Alkmaar side.
