AliousLe Bris Urges Proactive Mindset as Sunderland Look to Finish Coventry Job in Play-Off Decider
Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris has called on his players to adopt an assertive, forward-thinking mentality in their play-off semi-final second-leg clash against Coventry City, despite holding a narrow 2-1 aggregate advantage.
Following a disciplined and clinical win away at the CBS Arena—secured by second-half strikes from Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda—Sunderland head into the home leg at the Stadium of Light needing just a draw to book their place at Wembley. Yet Le Bris has made it clear that simply defending the lead is not part of his game plan.
Rather than playing cautiously or protecting their position, the French manager insists Sunderland must focus on winning the match outright, reflecting the club’s identity and his own coaching philosophy.
“We need to go out with the same mindset as the first game,” Le Bris explained. “It’s not about sitting back or holding on. We must be proactive, not conservative. That’s the kind of energy and ambition this club represents.”
With a nearly full-strength squad available, Le Bris has tactical flexibility at his disposal. He’s yet to decide whether to retain the effective 4-4-2 formation used in the first leg or revert to the more familiar 4-3-3 setup. Either way, he acknowledges the importance of balancing defensive structure with attacking intent, especially given that Coventry, under Frank Lampard, must come out aggressively to overturn the deficit.
Le Bris admitted uncertainty over Coventry’s approach but praised their performance in the first leg, noting their dominant 75% possession. However, he emphasized that despite being out-possessed, Sunderland were defensively resolute and lethal on the counter—traits he believes could again prove crucial.
“It’s not just about keeping the ball,” he said. “Possession doesn’t guarantee success. What matters is how we apply pressure, how we recover, and how we transition quickly. That’s who we are.”
The Frenchman also pointed out that Sunderland’s second goal in the first leg—born from high pressing that forced a defensive error—exemplifies their capacity to make the most of brief attacking moments.
“We’re not aiming to be Barcelona,” he added. “We want possession, yes, but we’ll win matches our way—by being disciplined, opportunistic, and unified in our intent.”
Ultimately, Le Bris believes that playing with confidence and on the front foot is key—not only to closing out the tie, but also to honouring the club’s competitive spirit and aspirations.
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