L’Olympique Lyonnais (OL) faces a crucial test tonight as they kick off their Champions League campaign in the third qualifying round. After finishing fourth in Ligue 1 last May, the Gones must secure victory against Sparta Prague to avoid the Europa League route. A loss would send them straight to the group stage of Europe’s secondary club competition, regardless of the outcome.
The Lyon squad, led by coach Paulo Fonseca, is far from complete. Key defenders Moussa Niakhaté and Nicolas Tagliafico are suspended, while Khalis Merah and Pavel Sulc remain unavailable. Additionally, summer signing Felix Bacher is still awaiting his official clearance. The attack will likely feature Julien Duranville, a Belgian winger signed from Borussia Dortmund for €5 million, alongside full-back Abner—shifted to the right flank—and Loïs Openda, the team’s new loaned striker from Juventus. Malick Fofana, Ernest Nuamah, and Rémi Himbert are poised to start from the bench.
The match, scheduled for 20:00 in Prague’s capital, marks a reunion between Lyon and Sparta Prague, with Czech midfielder Adam Karabec—who spent last season on loan at Lyon—leading the home side. Norwegian striker Jonatan Braut Brunes, cousin of Erling Haaland, will spearhead the Sparta attack.
Should Lyon advance, they will face the winner of the Fenerbahçe-Sturm Graz playoff in the next round, following the draw conducted earlier this week.
Where to watch the Lyon vs Sparta Prague clash
The first leg of this high-stakes qualifier is exclusively available on Canal+. The return match, set for next Tuesday at 19:00, will also be broadcast on the same premium channel. All return fixtures in the third qualifying round, including Lyon’s potential clash, are scheduled for Tuesday due to the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, which takes place on Wednesday—also on Canal+.
