"will have big challenges," Regis Le Bris said as Sunderland head to Torreense for Thursday night’s game at Estadio Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa in Leira, almost 100km north of Torreense’s home ground. The Sunderland manager also wants more "quality" and "composure" after an uneven start to the season. The trip comes four weeks after Sunderland beat AZ Alkmaar 1-0 at the Stadium of Light for their first Europa League win.
Sunderland's domestic pressure
Sunderland have taken only two wins in eight matches across all competitions this season, and they are 17th in the Premier League, one point above the relegation zone. The last five games have brought only two wins and 16 goals conceded, which leaves little room for comfort while they try to carry European momentum into Portugal.
Enzo Le Fée has been one of the brighter notes in the competition, with an 8.7 Europa League rating and one goal this season. Le Bris will need that sort of edge again if Sunderland are to back up the AZ result against a Torreense side that has already shown it can make life awkward.
Torreense's upset threat
Torreense won 2-1 away at Lillestrom on matchday one despite finishing with 10 men, and Carlos Simoes called that display "very well defined." They sit 12th in the Europa League standings after one match and have three points on the board, so the early evidence is that they will not make this a straightforward away night.
Their domestic form is mixed, with one win, three draws and two defeats from six league games. The last league match was a 1-0 away defeat to Tondela in a fiery game that featured four red cards and a 100th-minute winner, which fits the sort of contest Sunderland are being warned about.
Sunderland have the better individual quality, but the trip to Torreense will ask for a clean head as much as sharp feet. Torreense vs Sunderland is scheduled for Thursday night, and Le Bris has already made clear what he expects to be tested.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
