lyon prague live stream third qualifying round champions league return
The stakes couldn’t be higher as Olympique Lyonnais face Sparta Prague in the high-stakes return leg of the UEFA Champions League’s third qualifying round at Groupama Stadium. With a 2-1 deficit from the first leg in Prague, the home side faces an uphill battle to overturn the result and secure a place against either Fenerbahçe or Sturm Graz in the playoffs.
The match kicks off under intense scrutiny as Paulo Fonseca’s Lyon side has come under fire for their tactical choices following the disappointing first-leg loss. The coach has responded by making bold selections, bringing in Malick Fofana and Ernest Nuamah from the start, alongside the returning Moussa Niakhaté, who has served his suspension. The winner of tonight’s clash will face a playoff against either Fenerbahçe or Sturm Graz.
The pressure is palpable as Lyon must erase a one-goal deficit from Prague. The Czech side had taken the lead in the first leg through an own goal, but Sparta Prague struck twice in six minutes during the second half to seal their advantage. A missed penalty by Corentin Tolisso in the 67th minute only added to Lyon’s woes.
Both teams arrive in Lyon with contrasting recent form. Sparta Prague, fresh from their victory over Lyon, suffered a 2-0 loss to Mladá Boleslav in their last domestic fixture, marking their second league defeat in three games. Lyon, meanwhile, has yet to play an official Ligue 1 match this season, making this encounter their second competitive outing after the first leg.
Lyon’s path to this stage was far from smooth. Finishing fourth in Ligue 1 with 60 points—18 wins, six draws, and 10 losses—they secured their spot in the third qualifying round by a single point ahead of Lille. Sparta Prague, on the other hand, ended the Czech league season as runners-up with 76 points, four points behind Slavia Prague.
