Paulo Fonseca’s pre-match thoughts on OL’s champions league qualifier against Sparta Prague
On the eve of Olympique Lyonnais’ crucial UEFA Champions League third qualifying round first leg against Sparta Prague this Tuesday (8 PM kick-off), the Portuguese head coach underscored the paramount importance of securing a spot in Europe’s elite club competition for OL.
Is your team prepared for this pivotal encounter?
Fonseca: This pre-season was somewhat unconventional, notably shorter than usual. However, I believe we are ready, having put in diligent work. While we are missing a few players who would undoubtedly strengthen our squad, I am confident in the team’s current state.
Regarding last week’s significant 0-4 defeat against Real Betis…
Fonseca: What we observed was a typical phase of pre-season, focusing on integrating our new arrivals. Key players such as Malick Fofana, Ernest Nuamah, and Loïs Openda joined us later, so this situation is quite normal. Perhaps that match served as a crucial opportunity to identify our current shortcomings. We fielded a very young attacking line-up for the entire game, and those players may simply require more time to reach the elite level we expect.
What is the status of Pavel Sulc and Mads Bidstrup, both out due to injury?
Fonseca: Pavel Sulc is currently sidelined with knee inflammation. Mads Bidstrup is experiencing a similar issue, a cartilage problem, and I am hopeful for his swift return. Pavel joined us later than the rest of the squad due to his participation in the World Cup. I believe he was eager to play against Sparta Prague, but unfortunately, that won’t be possible. Regarding his future, we are aware he’s coming off an excellent season and is attracting interest from other clubs. However, given our club’s current circumstances, any of our players could potentially be sought after by other teams.
« We possess the capability to reach the Champions League; we must exert every effort to achieve this. It will be genuinely challenging, but we are prepared. »
Your opponent, Sparta Prague, has Adam Karabec, who knows you very well.
Fonseca: Adam Karabec is currently Sparta Prague’s standout player. He operates with complete freedom on the pitch, often playing centrally. He will be highly motivated, and he is a good individual. It’s true that for set-pieces, I considered we might need to be cautious, as he could potentially reveal our strategies. Beyond that, I have no significant concerns.
Is the squad fully aware of the significance of this two-legged tie (August 4th and 11th)?
Fonseca: Naturally, we have discussed the immense importance of this confrontation amongst ourselves. We understand that we endured a highly challenging league campaign to qualify for this stage, and everyone in our squad recognizes the Champions League’s significance for OL. We must believe that nothing is impossible; we possess the ability to reach the Champions League group stage. We must give absolutely everything to achieve this. It will be incredibly tough, but we are ready.
