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Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has hinted at a tactical shift ahead of Tuesday night’s Championship play-off semi-final second leg clash with Coventry City at the Stadium of Light, as his side aim to secure a place at Wembley.
The Black Cats hold a narrow 2-1 lead on aggregate following their first-leg victory at the CBS Arena last Friday, a match in which they took a more defensive approach—soaking up pressure and striking on the counter. Eliezer Mayenda capitalized on a defensive error to net the late winner, after an earlier counterattack led to the opener.
Although Coventry boss Frank Lampard remains unsure whether Sunderland will adopt a similarly conservative strategy, Le Bris has made it clear that he wants his team to take the initiative in the return leg.
“We want to be proactive rather than just trying to protect the lead,” Le Bris stated at Monday’s press conference. He praised Coventry as “a good team” and expects another closely contested battle where the smallest margins—such as individual errors or a moment of creativity—could tip the balance.
The Frenchman reflected on Mayenda’s goal in the first leg, which resulted from a costly back-pass by Milan van Ewijk, emphasizing the importance of discipline and focus. “These games are defined by details. One lapse or one moment of brilliance can decide everything,” he added.
Despite a rough run of form that saw Sunderland go six matches without a win prior to the play-offs, Le Bris credited the team’s renewed focus in training and their sharp performance against Coventry as signs of revival. “We prepared well. After securing our play-off spot early, we lost some edge. But in recent weeks, I’ve seen a change in mentality,” he explained.
The Sunderland boss also praised his players for staying composed after their first-leg triumph. “They knew it was only half-time. They’ve stayed grounded and focused,” Le Bris confirmed.
With a Wembley final—and potential Premier League promotion—on the line, Tuesday’s showdown promises to be a tense and finely balanced encounter. Both sides know that a single moment could define their season.
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