« Is your team ready for this crucial moment?
Our pre-season was shorter than usual, but I believe we are prepared because we’ve trained well. We’re still missing a few key players who could strengthen our squad, but the team is in good shape.

What about the heavy loss to Real Betis last week?
The result against Real Betis was part of the pre-season process, where new players were still adapting. Important arrivals like Malick Fofana, Ernest Nuamah, and Loïs Openda joined later, so the situation was expected. It was a valuable moment to identify areas needing improvement. We fielded a very young attacking lineup, and they will need time to reach their full potential with us.

What’s the situation with Pavel Sulc and Mads Bidstrup, who are unavailable?
Pavel Sulc is sidelined with a knee inflammation, while Mads Bidstrup has a cartilage issue. I hope Bidstrup recovers quickly. Sulc returned late after participating in the World Cup, and although he wanted to play against Sparta Prague, it’s unfortunately impossible. He had an outstanding season last year and is in high demand, but in our current setup, all players are potential targets for other clubs.

How do you assess Sparta Prague’s threat, particularly Adam Karabec?
Adam Karabec is Sparta Prague’s standout player right now. He’s highly influential in midfield and will bring energy and motivation to the game. His technical ability means we’ll need to be careful during set pieces, as he may have observed our strategies. However, I’m not overly concerned beyond that.

Does the team fully grasp the significance of this double-header (August 4 and 11)?
Absolutely. We’ve discussed the importance of this tie within the group. Everyone knows how challenging our domestic league was to qualify, and the significance of the Champions League to Lyon cannot be overstated. We must believe that nothing is impossible. We have the talent to reach the Champions League, and we must fight for it—even if the road is tough.