Dinamo Zagreb under the lights at the Stadium of Light on Bonfire Night.

These should be exciting times for Sunderland and their fans, who before this season had been starved of European football for more than half a century.

Instead there is a concern the club's Europa League campaign, which includes a trip to AC Milan in December, has become a hindrance after the team's poor domestic start to the season.

Following last Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Coventry City, captain Granit Xhaka questioned the team's "courage", weeks after France defender Nordi Mukiele claimed the side had become "arrogant".

BBC Sport understands Le Bris' job is not in immediate danger and he will be given more time to turn things around.

Sunderland, who were playing in League One as recently as 2022, were lauded as one of the stories of last season, after doing the double over Chelsea and fierce rivals Newcastle, as well as holding both Arsenal and Manchester City at home.

The numbers suggest repeated success was always going to be difficult.

Only relegated Burnley and Wolves had a lower Expected Goals difference - comparing the amount of good chances created to those chances created against them - than Sunderland last campaign.

Two of Sunderland's seven league goals this season have come from the penalty spot, while they have finished with 10 men in defeats by Arsenal (Reinildo Mandava sent off), Bournemouth (Kevin Danso sent off) and Coventry (Omar Alderete sent off).

Meanwhile, Sunderland have failed to score a first-half goal in seven of their nine league games.

Sunderland spent £161m on 15 new players after winning promotion to the Premier League in the summer of 2025.

This time round, just £60m was invested on five players.

For many, the reason for Sunderland's current struggles appears obvious - the added demand of Europe.

Their first European campaign since 1973 means at least eight games in the Europa League. Unlike in the Premier League, Sunderland have started well in Europe, winning two and drawing one of their first three league phase matches.

The Black Cats have lost two and drawn one of their three Premier League games after playing in Europe.

They could certainly do with beating Chelsea on Sunday after playing Dinamo Zagreb to lift the mood.

Otherwise it is going to be an unhappy international break for Sunderland and their passionate fanbase.