What Croatian media are saying about Sunderland ahead of Dinamo Europa League clash

The Croatian media have been discussing Sunderland’s current struggles and the managerial situation at Europa League opponents Dinamo Zagreb ahead of Thursday’s meeting of the two sides.

The Black Cats can put one foot in the knockout stages of the competition if they can cast aside their current difficulties at domestic level by claiming a positive result at the Stadium of Light. However, Croatian news outlet 24Zata have looked to the Black Cats’ contrasting form in the Premier League and Europa League, pointing to the latter as ‘significantly better’ after Le Bris’ side claimed seven points from away days against Torreense and Lech Poznan and the home win against Dutch Cup winners AZ Alkmaar on matchday one.

They also suggest the pressure on Le Bris ‘continues to mount’ after Saturday’s defeat at Coventry City left his side at the bottom of the Premier League table and extended a ‘major slump in form’ at domestic level.

Večernji List have suggested the absence of some key players is a major problem for the Black Cats boss after he confirmed a concussion will mean Nordi Mukiele, described in the article as ‘one of Sunderland’s best defenders’, cannot feature on Thursday night. They also point to the absence of Mukiele’s fellow defender Dan Ballard and suggest midfielder Habib Diarra could miss out.

However, the big news out of the Black Cats opponents is the main talking point for Jutarnji as they suggest a former Brighton and Hove Albion and Watford manager is the leading contender to take charge at Dinamo following the departure of former boss Mario Kovačević at the weekend. The Croatia league and cup winners parted company with the 51-year-old following their defeat against Rudeš at the weekend and Spanish head coach Oscar Garcia is reportedly in line to be named as his successor with Dinamo B coach Jerko Leko set to take interim charge for the first time at the Stadium of Light.

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Specialist sports news outlet Sportske Novosti have gone a step further in discussing the possible appointment of Garcia with journalist Davorin Olivari stating his sources have suggested ‘no one can currently guarantee that Oscar Garcia is definitely ‘the one’ to replace Kovačević’.

The same journalist has also revealed his concern over Leko’s temporary appointment, stating: “There is one risk - something I wouldn't want to see happen. If Dinamo loses to Sunderland, I wouldn't want that to become a stigma for his future. He is a young man, currently in charge of the B team; I don't believe that any potential negative results in these two matches - including the one against Varaždin - should be held against him in his professional record.”

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