The stakes couldn’t be higher for Olympique Lyonnais as they kick off their Champions League campaign in the third qualifying round. After finishing fourth in Ligue 1 last May, the Gones face a must-win scenario: either advance to the next stage or settle for Europa League participation. Their first hurdle is Sparta Prague, with the opening leg set for Tuesday evening at 20:00 CET in the Czech capital.
Paulo Fonseca’s squad arrives with notable absences. Moussa Niakhaté and Nicolas Tagliafico serve suspensions, while Khalis Merah and Pavel Sulc are unavailable due to injury. Fresh arrival Felix Bacher, Lyon’s seventh summer signing, remains ineligible. The attacking trio is expected to feature Julien Duranville—recently acquired from Borussia Dortmund for €5 million—Abner, deployed as a right-back, and Loïs Openda, the Juventus-loaned striker. Malick Fofana, Ernest Nuamah, and Rémi Himbert are likely to start on the bench.
Projected starting lineup for Olympique Lyonnais:
- Anthony Greif
- Mamadou Sarr
- Ozan Kabak
- Justin Kluivert
- Oumar Diakhaby
- Maxence Caqueret
- Corentin Tolisso
- Abner
- Loïs Openda
- Julien Duranville
- Rayan Cherki
Where to watch the clash in France
Sparta Prague’s epet Arena, with its 18,349-seat capacity, will host the first leg. The Czech side, runners-up in their domestic league, boast talents like Adam Karabec—a creative force who spent last season on loan in Lyon—and Jonatan Braut Brunes, cousin of Erling Haaland, leading their attack.
Should Lyon advance to the playoff round, they’ll face the winner of Fenerbahçe versus Sturm Graz, as determined by Monday’s draw. All second-leg matches in the third qualifying round are scheduled for Tuesday, coinciding with the UEFA Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa, also broadcast on the same premium channel.
The first European outing of a French club this season will be exclusively available on Canal+. The return leg in Lyon is set for next Tuesday at 19:00 CET, with all third-round second legs slated for the same evening.
