Lyon’s fate in European football hangs in the balance as they face a critical showdown against Sparta Prague. After securing fourth place in Ligue 1 last May, the Olympique Lyonnais now enters the third qualifying round of the Champions League, with the playoffs looming in late August. A setback would still grant them a spot in the Europa League. Under the guidance of Paulo Fonseca, the Gones must first overcome the Czech side in a high-stakes first leg kicking off Tuesday evening at 20:00 CET in Prague.
The Gones are grappling with a depleted squad. Defenders Moussa Niakhaté and Nicolas Tagliafico are sidelined due to suspensions, while Khalis Merah and Pavel Sulc remain unavailable. Fresh signing Felix Bacher, the seventh recruit of the summer, is yet to meet eligibility criteria. The attacking lineup may feature Julien Duranville, a Belgian winger signed from Borussia Dortmund for €5 million, alongside Abner—typically a left-back deployed on the right—and Loïs Openda, the newly acquired striker on loan from Juventus. Malick Fofana, Ernest Nuamah, and Rémi Himbert are expected to start from the substitutes’ bench.
The probable lineup, as projected, includes: Greif – Mata, Tessmann, Kluivert, Ouédraogo – Morton, De Carvalho, Tolisso – Abner, Openda, Duranville.
Broadcast details: where to watch the clash
Sparta Prague, runners-up in the Czech league last season, will welcome Lyon to their Epet Arena, a venue with a capacity of 18,349. Adam Karabec, a creative midfielder who spent time on loan at Lyon previously, will spearhead the home side, with Jonatan Braut Brunes—cousin of Erling Haaland—leading the attack.
Should Lyon advance to the playoffs, their next opponent will be decided by the outcome of the Fenerbahçe versus Sturm Graz tie, as determined by Monday’s draw. France’s first European encounter of the season is set to air live on Canal+. The return leg is scheduled for next Tuesday at 19:00 CET, also exclusively on the premium sports channel. All second-leg matches in the third qualifying round of the Champions League are slated for Tuesday, following the Super Cup clash between PSG and Aston Villa, which occupies Wednesday’s slot on the same platform.
