Lyon faces a high-stakes duel in the Champions League third qualifying round, with the first leg against Sparta Prague kicking off under the lights this Tuesday at 20:00 CET. The stakes couldn’t be higher for the French side, which finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season and must navigate two rounds of qualifiers to secure a spot in the group stage of Europe’s elite club competition.

Paulo Fonseca’s squad arrives in the Czech capital with a depleted roster. Defenders Moussa Niakhaté and Nicolas Tagliafico are suspended, while Khalis Merah and Pavel Sulc remain unavailable. New signing Felix Bacher, the club’s seventh summer recruit, still awaits international clearance. On the pitch, the attacking trio may feature Julien Duranville, the Belgian winger signed from Borussia Dortmund for €5 million, Abner deployed on the right flank, and Loïs Openda, the Juventus-loaned striker who has made an immediate impact. Young talents Malick Fofana, Ernest Nuamah, and Rémi Himbert are poised to start from the substitutes’ bench.

Predicted Lineup For Lyon

According to first-team sources, the probable starting XI will line up as follows: Greif – Mata, Tessmann, Kluivert, Ouédraogo – Morton, De Carvalho, Tolisso – Abner, Openda, Duranville. This tactical setup reflects Fonseca’s preference for a balanced midfield and a dynamic forward line capable of exploiting defensive gaps.

Where To Watch The Match Live

The clash at the epet ARENA, with a capacity of 18,349, will be broadcast live across France before the high-profile Paris Saint-Germain fixture. Sparta Prague, the Czech league’s runner-up, will be led by playmaker Adam Karabec, who spent last season on loan in Lyon. Norwegian striker Jonatan Braut Brunes, cousin of Erling Haaland, leads the attack for the home side.

Should Lyon advance, their playoff opponent will be determined by the outcome between Fenerbahçe and Sturm Graz, as decided by Monday’s draw. All return legs for this qualifying round are scheduled for Tuesday evenings, aligning with the UEFA Champions League calendar and the Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa, also airing on the same premium channel.

The second leg in Lyon next Tuesday at 19:00 CET will once again be exclusively available on Canal+. Fans can expect another intense evening of European football as the club aims to secure its place in the next stage of the competition.