Lyon faces sparta prague in champions league qualifier

L’Olympique Lyonnais (OL) enters the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League with high stakes. Following a fourth-place finish in Ligue 1 last May, the Lyon squad, led by coach Paulo Fonseca, faces a critical challenge: avoiding disappointment in the early stages of Europe’s premier club competition. A setback would relegate the team to the UEFA Europa League, while success would secure a place in the Champions League group stage.

The stakes are even higher as the Lyon side prepares to face Sparta Prague in the upcoming fixture. The first leg, scheduled for Tuesday evening at 8:00 PM local time, will be played in the Czech capital. The return leg, set for the following Tuesday at 7:00 PM, will once again be broadcast on Canal+ in France.

The Lyon team is far from at full strength, with several key players sidelined. Defenders Moussa Niakhaté and Nicolas Tagliafico are suspended, while Khalis Merah and Pavel Sulc remain unavailable. Additionally, Felix Bacher, the club’s seventh summer signing, is still awaiting clearance to play. These absences have forced Fonseca to reshuffle his lineup, with promising talents set to make an impact.

The attacking trio is expected to feature Julien Duranville, the Belgian winger signed from Borussia Dortmund for €5 million, Abner—a versatile left-back deployed on the right—and Loïs Openda, the new striker on loan from Juventus. Malick Fofana, Ernest Nuamah, and Rémi Himbert are likely to begin the match from the bench, highlighting the depth and quality of Lyon’s squad.

Who will start for Lyon?

According to the projected lineup, Lyon is expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation under the guidance of captain Corentin Tolisso. The probable starting eleven includes:

• Anthony Greif in goal;
• Castello Lukeba, Valentin Barco, Benjamin Kluivert, and Ousmane Camara in defense;
• Maxence Caqueret, Lucas Perri, and Tolisso in midfield;
• Duranville, Openda, and Abner leading the attack.

Sparta Prague, the Czech vice-champions, will be led by Adam Karabec, a creative midfielder who spent last season on loan at Lyon. The home side’s attack will feature Jonatan Braut Brunes, a prolific striker and cousin of Erling Haaland.

Champions League return leg broadcast on Canal+

Both legs of the Champions League qualifier will be exclusively available on Canal+. The return leg, scheduled for the following Tuesday at 7:00 PM, will air on the premium channel, ensuring fans across France can follow the action live. All matches in the third qualifying round, including the return fixtures, will be played on Tuesdays due to the UEFA Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, which will take place on Wednesday and also be broadcast on Canal+.

Should Lyon advance past Sparta Prague, they will face the winner of the Fenerbahçe-Sturm Graz tie in the playoff round. The draw for this stage has already been set, adding another layer of anticipation to the club’s European campaign.