Robin Roefs earns Régis Le Bris praise after decisive display in Sunderland win over AZ

Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris singled out Robin Roefs after the goalkeeper played a decisive role in his side’s European victory over AZ.

The Black Cats were forced to withstand considerable pressure after taking the lead, with Le Bris admitting that Roefs was needed to preserve the result against the Dutch side.

“We needed a very good Robin Roefs to make the difference today,” Le Bris told Ziggo Sport. “I enjoyed the victory.”

Le Bris was also encouraged by Sunderland’s overall performance, particularly during a first half in which his team recovered from a difficult opening spell.

“It was a good game to watch,” the Frenchman said. “After a difficult start, we eventually dominated the first half with the ideas we wanted to impose on the opponent, and we created chances.”

The balance changed after Sunderland took the lead.

AZ responded by pushing higher and demonstrating the quality in possession that Le Bris had expected. That resulted in a far more open contest, with both teams creating opportunities.

“In the second half it was different,” he explained. “After our goal, they pushed with their good qualities. They are a good team on the ball and the game was open. We created chances and so did they.”

That was where Roefs became particularly important. With AZ searching for a way back into the match, the Sunderland goalkeeper produced the interventions required to protect the advantage.

Sunderland’s victory provides another positive step in what is a new European experience for much of the squad.

Le Bris, however, is not interested in making major predictions about how far his young team can go in the Europa League.

“We will look at it step by step,” he said. “We are going into new experiences because it is a young team and we are new in the Europa League.”

For the Sunderland manager, development remains central to the European campaign.

“We want to improve and show the world who we are.”

Sunderland will look to build on the result while continuing to adapt to the demands of European football alongside their domestic campaign.

For Roefs, the performance against AZ strengthens his importance to Le Bris’ side. The Sunderland manager has made clear that his goalkeeper was one of the key reasons they emerged with the victory.