Sunderland kicked off their Europa League campaign with a win over AZ Alkmaar

Régis Le Bris hailed an important win for Sunderland as they kicked off their Europa League campaign with a hard-fought win over AZ Alkmaar.

Sunderland came through an early scare when AZ Alkmaar spurned a big chance, but the hosts dominated the first half thereafter. The Black Cats took the lead in the second half through an excellent Enzo Le Fée penalty, but the visitors produced a strong second half and missed some good chances of their own.

"I think we started well, in the first half we imposed the ideas," Le Bris said.

"They were mobile but we imposed our press progressively, created chances as well. Many crosses, shots, second balls, and so on. We didn't score in the first half but in the second half we scored, and then the game was totally open after that. They created chances because they are really good on the ball, I repeat. They played with freedom, took more risks as well and we had our chances in the second half also. Finally, it's three points. It was an important night for us, for the club, for the fans. And in the end, it's a good win."

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Sunderland missed another couple of big openings in stoppage time, as Nilson Angulo and Brian Brobbey missed from close range. Sunderland have struggled to find a clinical edge so far this season but Le Bris is confident the goals will come.

"It's good to create chances, to impose the rhythm, to impose the game we want to play," he said

"Now it's just a question of details. We have to keep pushing because we are in a good place, I would say. Obviously, in the Europa League, in the Premier League, when you don't score, you know the opponent will react because they have good players, they can combine. They can individually create chances as well, so you also need good players at the right moments.

"I don't know [about the late chance], I think when you are in this situation, maybe there is a a small doubt. You are not really clean and you overthink. It's a question just of time, I think, because we will score."

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