San Siro, survival and Sunderland: the paradox shaping a struggling season

European glamour, league pressure

Sunderland’s Europa League visit to AC Milan offers a chance to face one of football’s heavyweight clubs. But the team that impressed after promotion last season is now among this campaign’s strugglers.

After losing 3-1 to Coventry on Saturday, Sunderland remained bottom after nine matches. They face Chelsea at home, Aston Villa away, Tottenham at home, Liverpool away and local rivals Newcastle away, alongside European home games against Dinamo Zagreb and Jagiellonia Bialystok.

Against that backdrop, the league meeting with Forest could carry more immediate importance than the San Siro trip. Sunderland had not won a league game since their victory over Brentford, despite fans celebrating and making travel plans for Europe.

Errors deepen defensive concern

Sunderland have conceded 17 goals in nine games, compared with 15 matches to reach that total last season. Only Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace have conceded more this term.

The side has made seven errors leading to goals. Against Coventry, they failed to deal with a cross before Luke O’Nien lost possession to Taiwo Awoniyi in the build-up to the second goal. Captain Granit Xhaka called the defeat “very disappointing.” He also questioned whether concentration or other issues were behind the team being punished each weekend.

Goals and signs of hope

Sunderland have scored seven goals in nine league games. Only second-bottom Forest, with six, have managed fewer. They have already faced champions Arsenal, title challengers Manchester City and an in-form Brighton side. The team has also earned spirited draws against Brentford and Leeds.

A 3-2 Carabao Cup win over Brentford has put Sunderland into a quarter-final against fellow league strugglers Crystal Palace. Xhaka said he believed the team could still succeed and urged a focus on the next match.