Sunderland were beaten 2-0 by Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League at the Stadium of Light, extending the Black Cats’ poor run to one win in six games in all competitions. Luka Stojkovic volleyed the first goal in the 22nd minute, and he then set up Dion Beljo for a second before half-time. The result adds to the mounting pressure on head coach Regis Le Bris.
Before the game, Le Bris had said Sunderland had been too exposed and leaky in defence, but his team did not heed that warning. They trailed 2-0 at half-time in front of an angry home crowd.
Poor marking from a corner allowed Stojkovic to volley in the opener. Shortly afterwards, the Dinamo midfielder played a delightful chipped pass to Beljo, who finished with equal precision. The Sunderland defenders were all at sea during the move.
Sunderland had some bad luck at the other end. They struck the woodwork in both halves, through Thomas Meunier and Kevin Danso. Dinamo’s defenders also denied Malick Fofana and Trai Hume in the same move with last-ditch blocks.
Le Bris made four substitutions at half-time, and the introduction of Brian Brobbey later in the second half could not inspire a comeback. Sunderland, who are bottom of the Premier League, were booed off at half-time and at full-time, and many fans left the stadium well before the final whistle.
Key moments from the Stadium of Light
- 10: Chris Rigg crossed for Jules Ahoka, whose header went straight at the Dinamo goalkeeper.
- 22: Beljo had a clear sight of goal, but Granit Xhaka made a last-ditch block.
- 23: Stojkovic was given space from the resulting corner and volleyed in a stunning goal.
- 24: Meunier cleared off the line to deny Milan Orsic a second Dinamo goal.
- 30: Meunier’s deep cross hit the woodwork and nearly caught the goalkeeper out.
- 40: Stojkovic’s clipped pass found Beljo in space, and he finished to make it 2-0.
- 47: Wilson Isidor headed home a Xhaka cross, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside.
- 58: Reinildo’s header was clawed out by the goalkeeper, and Danso struck the bar with a hooked finish on the rebound.
- 67: Brobbey came on and nearly scored, but the goalkeeper denied him from close range after a smart pass from Xhaka.
Le Bris looks ahead to Chelsea
Le Bris told TNT Sports: “Tough period. We had two different halves. The first one was difficult with many young players. This period is not easy to manage and we felt even if they tried, it’s heavy at the minute. It’s not easy to change the dynamic.”
He added: “I appreciated the reaction in the second half, even though there were more experienced players. More quality, more experience on the pitch. We are unlucky because we created many chances but it wasn’t enough. When you go on a poor run it’s hard to change the dynamic.”
The head coach also pointed to Sunderland’s priorities. “We are still combative, and the players tried until the end to show something different. We know that the most important game this week is at the end of the week against Chelsea. I’m pleased with the energy and competitiveness until the end. Now we need more quality, and it’s fair to say that, because at the minute it’s not the case.”
Asked whether Sunderland had lost confidence, Le Bris replied: “Probably. We have good players, a good team. I believe this team has a really big potential. We showed it last season. But you also have to experience tough situations. Now the situation is different. This situation will define us as well as a team, as a club, with our fans, with staff. We’ll stick together and be combative until the end.”
Sunderland are sliding
Last season’s Sunderland side was tough to beat and capable of finding solutions and showing resilience. This season, that team has disappeared. What Sunderland are going through now is what many expected last season, except this time they are not a newly promoted side. They are now a team competing in Europe.
The Thursday-Sunday schedule is taking its toll. This result showed that Sunderland’s squad depth is not good enough. Ahoka, Meunier and Rigg were all taken off at half-time, which does not bode well with the fixture schedule piling up.
Le Bris chose Chelsea as the priority match for the week, and he made six changes for the Europa League game. Those changes suggest that Sunderland cannot currently handle their European commitments with this level of squad and this lack of confidence. Sunderland need the international break, and then they need the January transfer window. Le Bris looks like the victim of his own success, but the question now is whether he is becoming the villain of his own hero story.