Lyon faces sparta prague in champions league qualifiers

For Olympique Lyonnais, the stakes couldn’t be higher: either secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League or face the ignominy of slipping into the Europa League. The Gones, as the Lyon squad is affectionately known, enter the third qualifying round of the Champions League with a single objective—overcome Sparta Prague in both legs. The opening clash unfolds tonight in Prague’s epet Arena at 8:00 PM local time, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle.

Paulo Fonseca’s men are far from fielding their strongest XI. Suspensions sideline Moussa Niakhaté and Nicolas Tagliafico, while injuries rule out Khalis Merah and Pavel Sulc. Fresh arrival Felix Bacher remains ineligible. The attacking lineup may feature Julien Duranville, the Belgian winger signed from Borussia Dortmund for €5 million, positioned alongside right-back-turned-winger Abner and Loïs Openda, Lyon’s new loaned striker from Juventus. Malick Fofana, Ernest Nuamah, and Rémi Himbert are expected to start from the bench.

Projected starting XI for Lyon:

• Goalie: Greif
• Defense: Mata, Tessmann, Kluivert, Ouédraogo
• Midfield: Morton, De Carvalho, Tolisso
• Attack: Abner, Openda, Duranville

Where to watch the match

Sparta Prague, the Czech Republic’s runners-up, will field a formidable side led by playmaker Adam Karabec—no stranger to Lyon, having been on loan there last season. Up front, Norwegian striker Jonatan Braut Brunes, cousin of Erling Haaland, will lead the attack in front of 18,349 fans.

The first leg of this European showdown is set to air exclusively on Canal+, ensuring fans can follow every moment of the action. Should Lyon advance, their next hurdle awaits in the playoff round, where they’ll face either Fenerbahçe or Sturm Graz, as determined by Monday’s draw. The return leg is scheduled for next Tuesday at 7:00 PM, once again airing on the same premium channel. All second-leg fixtures in the third qualifying round are slated for Tuesday, following the UEFA Super Cup showdown between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, also on Canal+ the night before.

By Pierre Tchuente — Security and Policy Analyst