Olympique Lyonnais kicks off its European campaign this week as the club travels to Prague to face Sparta Prague in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. The match, slated for Tuesday evening, marks a crucial step for both teams in securing a spot in the group stages of the 2026-2027 competition.
Sparta Prague, runners-up in the Czech First League last season, boast a mixed European pedigree. The club reached the Champions League group stage in 2024 but has struggled in recent knockout stages, falling short in four of its last five attempts at this stage. Their current domestic form—starting with a win and a defeat—adds an extra layer of unpredictability. Should either team be eliminated, they will drop into the UEFA Europa League for the group phase.
The historical record between the two clubs heavily favors Lyon. Across six prior meetings, the French side has claimed five victories and settled for a single draw. Key clashes include a dominant 5-0 home win in 2005 and a 3-0 victory in Lyon during the 2021 UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying phase. Sparta Prague’s overall record against French clubs remains weak, with just two wins, three draws, and eleven losses—while Lyon has dominated Czech opponents with eight wins, two draws, and two defeats.
The match will be played at the epet ARENA in Prague, kicking off at 20:00 CET. Fans in France can catch live commentary and streaming coverage on sports.orange.fr, while viewers can also tune in to Canal+ for the full broadcast.
Key players to watch
Loïs Openda, Lyon’s marquee signing from Juventus on a season-long loan, has already netted seven goals in Champions League action this summer. The Belgian striker will spearhead the attack as Lyon aims to advance past Sparta Prague and into the final playoff round, where they could face either Fenerbahçe or Sturm Graz.
