Sunderland beaten by Dinamo Zagreb as pressure grows on Le Bris

Pressure is mounting on Regis Le Bris after Sunderland were beaten 2-0 by Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League. Both goals for the Croatian side came before half-time, and Sunderland’s substitutions after the break could not spark a comeback.

The opener followed a poorly defended corner, with Luka Stojkovic volleying home. Earlier, Milan Orsic had come close, only for Meunier to clear the ball off the line. Stojkovic then picked out Dion Beljo with a chipped pass, and the forward finished to make it 2-0.

Sunderland did create chances. Chris Rigg crossed for Jules Ahoka, whose header was gathered by the Dinamo goalkeeper. In another move, last-ditch defensive blocks denied Malick Fofana and Trai Hume. After a sustained spell of Sunderland attacks, the goalkeeper also clawed away a Reinildo header before Danso struck the bar on the rebound. Brian Brobbey, introduced in the second half, came close to pulling one back, but the goalkeeper stopped him from close range after a pass from Xhaka.

Le Bris made four half-time substitutions and brought on Brobbey later, but Sunderland could not turn the match around. Before kick-off, the manager had said his side had been too exposed and vulnerable defensively. They went into the interval two goals behind.

The defeat comes with Sunderland 20th in the Premier League on 5 points after 9 matches. The club have one win, two draws and six defeats in the competition, scoring 7 goals and conceding 17. Across their last five league games, they have no wins, with one draw and four defeats. Sky Sports notes that Le Bris is now on a run of just one win in six matches in all competitions.