5-4-1 MASTERCLASS: RéGIS LE BRIS EXPLAINS SUNDERLAND'S ANFIELD STRATEGY
Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris praises his team's bolder attack and consistency after securing a crucial 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.
Régis Le Bris mentioned his Sunderland team felt good about their performance at Anfield after grabbing another important point in their attempt to stay in the Premier League.
The Black Cats almost got another big win when Chemsdine Talbi’s shot found the net in the second half, but Florian Wirtz scored for Liverpool, ending the game in a tie. Sunderland nearly took all three points when Wilson Isidor had a chance, but the Black Cats had to withstand pressure from Liverpool to get the point.
Le Bris said he was happy with both the performance and the result, adding that the players listened to his halftime advice to be bolder in their attacks.
“Yeah, it's positive right now,” Le Bris said about how he felt after the game.
“We could have scored a second goal, but it's still a good result for both teams. We began well, and the first half was good both when we had the ball and when we didn't. Maybe we didn't think we could score, but we did at the beginning of the second half. I think we even surprised ourselves a bit by having the time and space to play, and maybe they didn't expect us to be that good. We talked about being more dangerous and how we could cause problems for their defence. We also knew Salah would come on and change things, so we were ready.”
Even though Sunderland nearly won with Isidor's chance, Le Bris said the team was in good spirits after the match.
“Maybe they're a little bummed because they could have scored a second goal, but overall, they were proud of how they played because the game had many parts,” Le Bris said.
“We showed we could control the ball and defend with a 4-4-2 formation. Then we defended hard with five at the back, in a deep block. So, there were different situations, different parts of the game, and different feelings, but in the end, we played consistently.”
Régis Le Bris explains his Sunderland team selection at Liverpool.
Le Bris chose to play with five defenders at Anfield, but it looked a bit different with Trai Hume playing on the right wing and Enzo Le Fee playing almost as a second striker when they had the ball. This gives the Black Cats another option on how to play going forward.
“We had a few ideas,” Le Bris said.
“The main idea was to have width and keep three midfielders to start the game with Enzo, Granit, and Noah—to protect our right side because we knew they would attack from that side. With Trai on the right, we could keep the width and defend that side better in a 4-4-2 formation and fall back into a 5-4-1 naturally. Trai is very flexible and works well with Nordi. So, it was a mix of our 4-4-2 and our 5-4-1.”
Sunderland drew 1-1 with Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night.
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
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