Le Bris Under Pressure as Sunderland Lose to Dinamo Zagreb

Sunderland’s unbeaten Europa League campaign ended on Thursday (Nov 5) as Dinamo Zagreb won 2-0 at the Stadium of Light, adding to the pressure on manager Régis Le Bris, match reports said. Luka Stojkovic and Dion Beljo scored in the first half for the Croatian side.

The defeat came with Sunderland bottom of the Premier League and on a run of just one win in six games in all competitions, according to a report based on Sky Sports and TNT Sports coverage.

Sunderland Europa League Run Ends

Dinamo went ahead in the 22nd minute. Sunderland failed to clear a corner, and when Granit Xhaka’s attempted header dropped to Stojkovic on the edge of the box, the midfielder chested the ball down and volleyed it in.

Moments later, Sunderland’s Meunier cleared a shot off the line to stop the visitors doubling their lead. Dinamo did get a second in the 39th minute, when Stojkovic lifted a pass into the path of Beljo, who finished.

Le Bris made four changes at half-time, and Sunderland improved after the break. Wilson Isidor had a header ruled out for offside after a VAR check, Danso hit the bar from a rebound, and substitute Brobbey was denied from close range by the goalkeeper. Sunderland were booed off at half-time and at full-time.

Sunderland had 61 per cent of possession and 17 shots to Dinamo’s nine, with seven on target, according to match statistics. The result left both clubs on seven points from four games in the league phase, ESPN’s table showed.

Le Bris Says Sunderland Need More Quality

Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Le Bris described it as a tough period and said his side had played two different halves. He said Sunderland had been unlucky because they created many chances, but that it had not been enough.

The Frenchman also accepted his squad must improve. “Now we need more quality, it’s fair to say that,” he said.

Chelsea Up Next at the Stadium of Light

Le Bris said the most important game of the week was the weekend meeting with Chelsea. Sunderland host Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday (Nov 8), with kick-off at 2pm UK time.

Their next Europa League fixture is against Jagiellonia on Nov 26.

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