Former Sunderland loanee Amad sent the Black Cats a message ahead of this evening’s Championship play-off second leg clash with Coventry City.
Regis Le Bris’ men are one game away from reaching Wembley Stadium after winning 2-1 at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Friday night. Eliezer Mayenda scored an 88th minute winner after Wilson Isidor’s opener was quickly cancelled out by Jack Rudoni.
The winner of Wednesday night’s clash will meet Sheffield United in the play-off final on May 24. Sunderland are looking to go one step further than they did two years when Luton Town knocked them out in the semi-final.
On May 13, two years to the day, Toby Mowbray’s men won 2-1 in the first-leg thanks to Amad’s superb free-kick and Trai Hume’s second-half strike. Luton won the second leg 2-0 three days later before beating Coventry in the final to earn promotion to the Premier League.
Ahead of tonight’s big clash against Frank Lampard’s men, Sunderland posted a clip of the 2-1 win over Luton on their social media page. The video included both goals, including Amad’s outrageous curling effort with his right foot.
Amad, who is now a key player at Manchester United, shared the post on his personal Instagram account with a love-struck emoji face. The Ivory Coast international made 42 appearances for Sunderland during the 2022/23 campaign.
He scored 14 times, more goals than he currently has for United, and assisted a further four. He outscored Jack Clarke, Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms for the Black Cats and remains a firm fan favourite.
Sunderland go into the game on the front foot with a one-goal lead, but will be wary of a Coventry side managed by Frank Lampard.
Lampard oversaw a Derby County side six years ago who became the first side to make the final despite losing the first leg.
“We have to start this like we did in the first game with exactly the same mindset,” Black Cats boss Le Bris said. “Unpredictability is everywhere and if you try to protect the score it’s not a good mindset. We have to be proactive rather than try and protect this game.
“Details will make a difference. We have to be strong out of possession, well-organised, consistent, and show no complacency no matter what the event, whether positive or negative.
“It’s more about mistakes. Maybe one creative player can make a difference but it’s often very tight so it’s still important to have this idea in their minds. The players are consistent and ready for the fight.”
Meanwhile, in his pre-match press conference Lampard admitted to uncertainty of how Sunderland will approach the game. “We don’t know how the game will look,” he said.
“We don’t know that they’ll come and play at home as they play away. It could look completely different, so we have to be ready for lots of different things.”
