Sunderland's Europa League defeat to Dinamo Zagreb intensifies pressure on Regis Le Bris

What happened

Sunderland were beaten 2-0 by Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League at the Stadium of Light, a result Sky Sports reported as comfortably continuing the Black Cats' poor run and increasing the pressure on head coach Regis Le Bris. The report said Sunderland trailed 2-0 at half-time in front of an angry home crowd, and that supporters booed the team at both half-time and full-time, with some leaving well before the final whistle.

Report details

Both goals came through Luka Stojkovic's involvement. Sky Sports reported that poor marking from a corner allowed the Dinamo midfielder to volley in the opener in the 23rd minute. He then supplied a chipped pass for Dion Beljo, whose finish made it 2-0 in the 40th minute, with the report describing Sunderland's defenders as all at sea during the move. Earlier, Granit Xhaka had made a last-ditch block on Beljo, and Thomas Meunier cleared Milan Orsic's effort off the line.

Sunderland had chances and hit the woodwork in each half. Meunier's deep cross came off the post in the 30th minute, and after the break Reinildo's header was clawed out before Kevin Danso struck the bar with a hooked rebound. Sky Sports also reported last-ditch Dinamo blocks denying Malick Fofana and Trai Hume in the same move. Wilson Isidor headed in from Xhaka's cross in the 47th minute but VAR ruled it out for offside. Le Bris made four half-time substitutions and later brought on Brian Brobbey, who was denied from close range after another Xhaka pass, but no comeback followed.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Le Bris described a tough period and two different halves, saying the first was difficult with many young players and that the heavy schedule was hard to manage. He said he appreciated the second-half reaction, which featured more experienced players and more quality, and felt Sunderland were unlucky after creating many chances. Asked whether his team lacked confidence, he said probably, but insisted they have good players and a team with big potential, adding that the situation would define them and that they would stick together. He also said the most important game of the week was the weekend meeting with Chelsea.

Sky Sports reported that Le Bris now faces a run of one win in six games in all competitions, with Sunderland bottom of the Premier League and their league form drifting into Europe. The report said his six changes for the Dinamo match suggested the Chelsea game was his priority and that the squad could not handle European commitments at this level of depth and confidence. It added that Jules Ahoka, Meunier and Chris Rigg were all taken off at half-time, and argued Sunderland need the international break and then the January window. The report framed Le Bris as a victim of his own success and asked how much credit he still has with supporters.