After five seasons at Sparta Prague, captain Lukas Haraslin departed the club following the first leg victory over Lyon (2-1) to join Al-Fateh in Saudi Arabia’s Pro League, securing a reported €5 million transfer. His exit marks the second major departure this summer after Jan Kuchta’s move to Legia Warsaw.
With the Danish coach Brian Priske facing a rebuilding task after Saturday’s league defeat at Mladá Boleslav—featuring seven new players—he will rely on vice-captain Josimar Alcocer, who impressed in the first leg. Sparta Prague is expected to line up with the same starting eleven at Groupama Stadium, aiming to replicate their home performance.
«We have a real chance to qualify if we repeat our first-leg performance,» Priske stated. «Lyon came here for their first match of the season. It’s never easy. They haven’t played since then, which is always a slight advantage. I hope we stay consistent, especially in midfield.»