The stakes couldn’t be higher for Olympique Lyonnais as they embark on their Champions League journey. Fresh off a fourth-place finish in Ligue 1 last season, the Olympique Lyonnais (OL) must navigate the third qualifying round and playoffs to secure their spot in the elite competition. A stumble here would relegate them to the Europa League, a scenario the club is eager to avoid.
This week, the Gones face a formidable obstacle: Sparta Prague. The first leg kicks off this Tuesday evening at 20:00 CET in the Czech capital, with Lyon needing a strong performance to carry momentum into the return leg. Paulo Fonseca’s squad is missing several key players due to suspensions and unavailability. Moussa Niakhaté and Nicolas Tagliafico are serving bans, while Khalis Merah and Pavel Sulc remain sidelined. Additionally, Felix Bacher, the club’s seventh summer signing, is still awaiting clearance to play.
The offensive line-up could see exciting debuts for Julien Duranville, a Belgian winger signed from Borussia Dortmund for €5 million, and Abner, a versatile defender who may feature on the right flank. Loïs Openda, the new loan signing from Juventus, will lead the attack. Malick Fofana, Ernest Nuamah, and Rémi Himbert are expected to start the match from the bench, adding depth to the squad.
Predicted starting XI for OL (per L’Equipe): Greif – Mata, Tessmann, Kluivert, Ouédraogo – Morton, De Carvalho, Tolisso – Abner, Openda, Duranville.
Sparta Prague’s lineup and tactical approach
Sparta Prague, the Czech runners-up, will field a competitive side at the epet Arena, which holds 18,349 spectators. Adam Karabec, a creative midfielder who spent last season on loan at Lyon, will operate as the team’s number 10. Jonatan Braut Brunes, a cousin of Erling Haaland, will spearhead the attack as the starting striker.
Should Lyon advance to the playoffs, their next challenge awaits against the winner of the Fenerbahçe versus Sturm Graz tie, as determined by Monday’s draw.
Where to watch the Champions League qualifier
The first leg of this European showdown is set to air live on Canal+, ensuring fans can catch every moment of the action. The return leg, scheduled for next Tuesday at 19:00 CET, will also be broadcast on the same premium channel. Notably, all return matches in the third qualifying round of the Champions League are scheduled for Tuesdays, following the UEFA Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, which airs on Wednesday.