Pressure mounts on Le Bris as Dinamo Zagreb beat Sunderland 2-0

Sunderland's torrid run of form continued as they were beaten 2-0 by Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb at the Stadium of Light, a result that has intensified scrutiny on head coach Regis Le Bris, according to Sky Sports Football.

Luka Stojkovic opened the scoring in the first half, finding space unmarked at the back post from a corner before firing past goalkeeper Robin Roefs, Yahoo Sports reported.

Dion Beljo doubled Zagreb's lead before the interval, with the goal stemming from a poor clearance by Kevin Danso, according to the same report.

The defeat was Sunderland's first in this season's Europa League campaign and extended a wretched spell that has brought just two wins in their last ten matches in all competitions, per Yahoo Sports.

Danso lined up at centre-back alongside Omar Alderete, a pairing Yahoo Sports noted had last started together in Sunderland's 2-0 Premier League defeat at Bournemouth last month, when the pair were at fault for the opening goal there too. Danso, on loan from Tottenham, was sent off after just 16 minutes in that game, while Alderete was subsequently suspended in the league following a double yellow card at Coventry.

Both defenders struggled again against Zagreb, with Yahoo Sports describing the partnership as no longer functional for Le Bris's side.

Sunderland trailed 2-0 at half-time and were booed off by home supporters, prompting changes from Le Bris that drew further criticism. Young midfielder Jules Ahoka, who had impressed in the Carabao Cup win over Brentford the previous week and was among the better performers in the first half, was substituted at the break.

Le Bris also withdrew full-back Dayann Methalie in favour of Reinildo, a more defensively minded and experienced option but one offering less going forward, a decision Yahoo Sports questioned given Sunderland were two goals down and in need of attacking impetus down the left flank.

Chemsdine Talbi, who had replaced the injured Habib Diarra in the squad, was not introduced during the second half despite the pace and directness he could have offered while Sunderland chased the game, Yahoo Sports added.

The outlet described Sunderland as no longer resembling the resolute defensive unit that underpinned last season's campaign, with self-inflicted errors continuing to undermine Le Bris's side.

With results and performances both under the microscope, the pressure on the Sunderland head coach shows no sign of easing as the club looks to arrest its slide in both the Europa League and domestically.