Olympique Lyonnais (OL) kicks off its European campaign this Tuesday with a high-stakes clash against Sparta Prague in the third qualifying round first leg of the UEFA Champions League. The Rhône-Alpes side, runners-up in last season’s domestic league, will face the Czech champions at the epet ARENA in Prague, aiming to secure a strong start before the return leg in Lyon.
Sparta Prague enters this duel with a mixed recent history in European competitions. While they reached the group stage of the Champions League in 2024, they were knocked out in the Europa Conference League Round of 16 earlier this year. Their form in the third qualifying round has been inconsistent, with four defeats in five attempts. Historical standings between the two clubs heavily favor Olympique Lyonnais, who have recorded five victories and one draw against Sparta Prague in past meetings—including dominant wins like the 5-0 thrashing in Lyon during the 2005 group stage. Loïs Openda, newly arrived from Juventus on a loan with an option to buy, has already netted seven goals in Champions League qualifiers and will be crucial in guiding OL through to the final playoff round against either Fenerbahçe or Sturm Graz.
In the event of elimination, both teams would drop into the Europa League for the 2026-2027 season. The stakes are high, especially as away goals no longer count double in case of a tie—a rule change that adds pressure to secure a clean win in the first leg. Sparta Prague, currently sitting third in the Czech First League after a win and a loss to start the season, will be eager to prove they can overcome their recent struggles at this stage.
Where to watch Sparta Prague vs Lyon live
The match is scheduled for 20:00 (CET) on Tuesday, August 4, at the epet ARENA in Prague. Fans in France can catch the live broadcast on Canal+, while international viewers can stream the game with commentary via sports.orange.fr.
