Regis Le Bris believes Sunderland are experiencing "the most demanding challenge in their history" as they try to fight on multiple fronts.

Sunderland finished seventh in their first season back in the Premier League, securing Europa League football for 2026-27.

They have struggled in the top flight this season, sitting bottom after the first nine matches with just one win to their name, but have made an unbeaten start to their European campaign (W2 D1) as well as reaching the EFL Cup quarter-finals.

Ahead of hosting Dinamo Zagreb in their fourth Europa League game, Sunderland have netted just four goals in the league phase, despite generating 7.7 xG in total – their -3.7 xG underperformance is currently the worst in the competition.

But they will not mind, given they sit ninth in the table and have lost just one of their seven major European competition matches in club history (W5 D1), a 2-0 away defeat to Sporting CP in November 1973 in the Cup Winners' Cup.

When asked if they were struggling to find the right balance across all competitions, Le Bris said their form is not a surprise.

"Growing pains. Is it unexpected? I would say no," he said. "We are experiencing probably the most demanding challenge Sunderland has ever faced in its history.

"Premier League, Europa League, quarter-final in Carabao Cup, FA Cup later. We earned it last season, and we are pleased to be in this position, but playing every three days is much more demanding than preparing for a game with one full week.

"It's a new journey – not for everyone, as many of our players have experienced this situation before – but it's still a new group.

"When you don't set the standards in one specific area in the Premier League, it's the Champions League, more or less, because every team is really strong, relentless, well-prepared, and you can't win.

"We are still competitive; we trust our team, our level. But repeating performances is different, and this is the next step."

Europa League mode: https://t.co/bgflTPSUYB

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) November 4, 2026

Sunderland's strong start in the Europa League includes wins over AZ and Torreense before their draw with Lech Poznan.

And Le Bris believes his side have coped with the gap in quality between the Premier League and Europe well.

"I think the gap is big, and it's positive for the Premier League, first of all," he added. "It shows the level.

"The difference between the bottom and top of the league is not so big, and it's really tight. So, for us, it means that every three days you have to reset, set the highest standards, and it's a new journey."

Sunderland host Dinamo Zagreb, who parted company with coach Mario Kovacevic earlier this week.

The Croatian side have won three of their last six European matches against English opposition (L3), this after winning just two of their first 16 combined.