Xhaka promises ‘fire’ from Sunderland on long-awaited return to Europe

Captain looking forward to intimidating atmosphere when Wearsiders host AZ, after 53 years away When Sunderland last played European football, club directors viewed it as a useful means of raising the cash necessary to fund floodlight upgrades at Roker Park necessitated by England’s widespread adoption of colour television. Back in the autumn of 1973 a lighting system compatible with the demands of broadcasting in black and white was proving increasingly outdated and Sunderland re