It’s one of the oldest and occasionally hackneyed maxims in the football fan’s little book of go-to phrases: “The biggest players rise to the challenge on the biggest stages”.
Granted, other versions of that phrase may be available, but that’s probably the simplest way of putting it and, as Sunderland kicked off their Europa League campaign with a gritty, intoxicating and at times bloody nervy victory over AZ Alkmaar, it was the turn of our resident sorcerer supreme to take centre stage.
When the Frenchman
lined up the spot kick that could’ve given Sunderland a decisive advantage in a wonderfully open game that swung to and fro, memories of last Saturday night’s clash with Arsenal could barely have been more than a heartbeat away.
Despite the inevitable inquest that took place in the aftermath, the simple fact of the matter is that Le Fée did nothing wrong against the Gunners, with David Raya simply guessing correctly and making a brilliant save, but when we were presented with an opportunity to open the scoring against the Eredivisie high-flyers, could he hold his nerve and deliver when it mattered?
You bet he could. Bottom corner, bang. Goalkeeper sent the wrong way. Sunderland’s first goal in European competition for over half a century. The road to victory opened up in one memorable moment and another game-changing contribution from Le Fée.
The message? Do not doubt the ability, resilience and sheer fortitude of this man.
Think twice before suggesting that he should hand over his penalty responsibilities to a teammate, and please show due respect to a player that’s staking an ever-stronger claim as one of the most talented, selfless and admired players to pull on a Sunderland shirt in many a long year.
OK, some poor finishing might’ve hindered us against Leeroy Echteld’s side, with the Lads carving out yet failing to take plenty of excellent chances (it will eventually click, of that I’m sure), but the victory itself was far more important than the route by which it was achieved.
If we were to take anything from what looked and felt like one of the more challenging assignments of the league phase of this competition, we needed our big-game players to turn up emphatically on Wednesday and Le Fée — along with the equally immovable Granit Xhaka, the classy Nordi Mukiele and the always-reliable Robin Roefs — was superb.
On a stage that seemed tailor-made for his all-action approach, he stood tall among his teammates, all of whom acquitted themselves with maximum commitment and full belief, and there was also some encouraging evidence of a growing connection between himself and Wilson Isidor, which may be worth exploring in greater depth.
Driven by the brilliance of Le Fée, the tactical nous of Régis Le Bris and spurred on by a thunderous atmosphere, Sunderland announced their Europa League arrival in impressive fashion.
This was not the performance of a merry band of players willing to play the underdog card and seeking to live off vibes alone. Instead, it was the performance of a team with growing belief in its ability to compete at this level and the desire to make the most of the opportunity they earned last season.
“New Shores To Conquer” was the message delivered prior to kick-off as yet another supreme This Is Wearside tifo was raised into the night, and although this was but merely one step on a journey that’ll provide countless memories and moments to savour, you can’t underestimate the importance of getting underway with a victory.
In theory, AZ presented us with one of the trickiest home European tests we’ll face this season.
Spearheaded by the impressive Kees Smit, the visitors were lively, dangerous and organised, and to therefore stay the course and emerge with a win was no mean feat. Furthermore, after yet another exceptional display, the question must surely be asked: has Le Fée not already contributed enough in a Sunderland shirt to prove his ability and his capacity to recover from setbacks ten times over?
From the moment he sent an arcing pass into the path of Isidor at Burnley almost two years ago, his talent was plain to see and, since then, from playoff semi-final-winning assists to derby-deciding displays, he’s consistently demonstrated why Régis Le Bris rates him so highly and why his arrival from Roma in January 2025 was a genuine turning point in the overall standard of our recruitment.
If Sunderland are to progress far in this competition, we’ll doubtless find ourselves calling on the brilliance of Le Fée on a regular basis.
However, that’s a role and a responsibility in which he seems to thrive and, with the backing of a fanbase that clearly appreciates his exceptional ability with a football, his eye for a pass and his work rate out of possession, who would bet against him becoming one of the most highly regarded players in the entire competition as the games go by and things begin to take shape?
Merci, Enzo. We’re fortunate to have you.
