HE ALWAYS STEPS UP FOR SUNDERLAND — EVEN IN DEFEAT!” — GARY BENNETT SINGLES OUT THE SUNDERLAND STAR NOBODY EXPECTED WHO HAS WON HIS HEART WITH AN INCREDIBLE MENTALITY!
Gary Bennett had barely finished reflecting on Sunderland’s historic European victory before his attention turned to one player whose mentality, in his view, deserves enormous credit.
For Bennett, Granit Xhaka’s importance to Sunderland goes far beyond what appears on the scoresheet.
Speaking in this post-match interview after Sunderland’s dramatic 1–0 victory over AZ Alkmaar, the former Sunderland captain singled out Xhaka as the kind of player who continues to stand up for the team regardless of the circumstances.
“He always steps up for Sunderland — even in defeat,” Bennett said in the interview. “That’s what impresses me about him. His mentality is different. He doesn’t disappear when things become difficult. He wants responsibility, and that is why I’ve got so much respect for him.”
Those words immediately put the spotlight on Xhaka.
And when you consider the intensity of Sunderland’s European night, it becomes easier to understand why Bennett would focus on the captain.
This was not an ordinary match.
After 53 years away from European competition, Sunderland finally returned to the continental stage at the Stadium of Light. The expectation was enormous, the atmosphere was extraordinary, and every Sunderland player knew they were carrying the hopes of thousands of supporters who had waited decades for this moment.
From the first whistle, AZ Alkmaar made it clear that they were not interested in simply allowing Sunderland to enjoy the occasion.
Sunderland had to fight.
They had to compete.
And they had to remain patient.
Xhaka found himself at the centre of that battle.
The experienced midfielder brought calmness to a match that threatened to become increasingly frantic. Sunderland created opportunities, but the breakthrough refused to arrive, and as the minutes passed, the pressure on the home side continued to increase.
Then came the moment that changed everything.
Enzo Le Fée won a penalty, stepped forward and converted from the spot, sending the Stadium of Light into absolute chaos.
But Sunderland’s work was nowhere near finished.
At 1–0, AZ suddenly had even more reason to attack. The visitors pushed forward, Sunderland were forced deeper at times, and every AZ attack carried the possibility of destroying the dream start.
That was when Sunderland’s mentality was truly tested.
And Xhaka’s experience became crucial.
He continued demanding concentration and helping Sunderland maintain their shape as the pressure intensified.
For Bennett, that is exactly what separates Xhaka from players who only shine when everything is going their way.
“He’s not the type of player who only wants the good moments,” Bennett explained in the interview. “Give him a difficult game and he’ll still want the ball. Put him under pressure and he’ll still take responsibility. That’s mentality.”
That observation is particularly significant because Xhaka has already experienced the kind of pressure that comes with playing at the highest level.
He knows that football is not always about dominating an opponent.
Sometimes it is about surviving.
Sometimes it is about protecting a result.
And sometimes it is about refusing to panic when everything around you becomes chaotic.
Sunderland needed exactly that mentality against AZ.
The final stages were tense.
The crowd was desperate for the final whistle.
AZ continued searching for an equaliser.
But Sunderland refused to surrender.
Eventually, the whistle came.
Sunderland had done it.
Their return to European football had ended with a victory.
Le Fée deserved enormous credit for producing the decisive moment, but Bennett’s point was that Sunderland’s success was also built on players who were willing to embrace responsibility throughout the difficult moments.
And that is why Xhaka’s performance deserves attention.
He did not need to score the winner to influence the night.
He did not need to dominate every highlight.
His value was in the leadership, composure and mentality he brought to a match that demanded all three.
For Sunderland supporters, that could prove just as important as the three points themselves.
Because European football will bring bigger nights, stronger opponents and even greater pressure.
And if Bennett’s assessment is anything to go by, Sunderland already have a player who understands exactly what those moments require.
A leader who wants responsibility.
A captain who refuses to hide.
And a midfielder whose mentality has clearly won over one of Sunderland’s most recognisable former players.
Tonight, Sunderland made history.
But in Granit Xhaka, they may have something else just as valuable:
A player who is prepared to stand up when the pressure is at its highest.
