Sunderland's Enzo Le Fee (Image: Annabel Lee-Ellis)
Sunderland's Enzo Le Fee (Image: Annabel Lee-Ellis)
ENZO Le Fee didn't have any doubts about stepping up to take Sunderland's penalty against AZ Alkmaar despite missing from the spot against Arsenal just four days earlier.
And if the Black Cats get another spot kick at the Etihad on Sunday, the in-form Frenchman will happily grab the ball again.
Le Fee admitted he had a "tough few days" after he was denied by David Raya's stunning save, with the Gunners then making Sunderland pay with two unanswered goals.
But the playmaker put that disappointment behind him and had the courage to step up again when he was fouled and won a penalty in the second half of Wednesday night's Europa League opener.
"This is the mindset of a competitor," said Le Fee, reflecting on his decision to take the spot-kick against Alkmaar.
"I used to want to be at this place. It was like a dream since I started playing football.
"It was a tough few days for me. We are lucky to play football because we have the opportunity to react quickly. And even if I miss, it will be part of football, but I was happy on Wednesday."
RECOMMENDED READING:
Regis Le Bris names eight favourite moments as Sunderland boss ahead of 100th game
Sunderland plan for Juan Angulo & Brian Brobbey training ground moment revealed
Le Fee has taken all of Sunderland's penalties this season - he scored at Brentford - and he'll be stepping up again if the Black Cats win another on Sunday afternoon.
"Yes, if I feel like my team-mates are trusting me to score, I will take the ball because to shoot a penalty is really special," he said.
"It could be the first, could be the tenth time. The feeling you have is really different, and I love this feeling."
After the highs of Wednesday night's European victory over Alkmaar, Sunderland have to lift themselves for the mighty test at the Etihad, the final game before the international stoppage.
Regardless of who gets the nod to start, Le Fee thinks Sunderland will be up to the challenge.
"We have a lot of good players with quality, and everyone has to know that they will be important for the team," said Le Fee.
"In football you can have your own moment at any time, so you have to be ready to take it. We work really well this way.
"Everybody knows that we need them. The starters have to know that the guys on the bench are pushing to play. It's good competition between us.
"It will be a tough game, but we have to trust ourselves. We played Arsenal, and we did really well.
"You can see the difference between like a big, big team. They didn't need a lot of chances to score, and of course, I missed the biggest one we had. But we have to trust ourselves to go there and play to win, because this is our mindset."