Sunderland host Dinamo Zagreb in Europa League matchday four

Sunderland were set to host Dinamo Zagreb in Europa League matchday four on Thursday, November 5, with the home side seeking to extend an unbeaten start to the league phase. The fixture was previewed before kickoff; the reports did not give a result. Sunderland had seven points from their opening three matches, while Dinamo had four. Sunderland’s record comprised wins over AZ Alkmaar and Torreense and a draw with Lech Poznan. Dinamo drew 0-0 with Hapoel Beer Sheva, beat Anderlecht 1-0 and then lost 4-2 at home to NEC Nijmegen. The match came after a change in Dinamo’s coaching staff. The club dismissed head coach Mario Kovačević following a domestic defeat, and Jerko Leko was due to take interim charge against Sunderland. One preview described Leko as an assistant coach, while another identified him as the B team coach. Sunderland’s European form contrasted with its domestic results. The team had lost 3-1 to Coventry City on Saturday, according to one preview, and was seeking a response at home. Régis Le Bris’s side had beaten AZ Alkmaar in its first home game of the Europa League campaign. Its seven points placed it just outside the league phase’s top eight, according to a...