lyon faces sparta prague in champions league playoff opener
The Olympique Lyonnais kick off their European campaign this evening against Sparta Prague in the first leg of the Champions League’s third qualifying round. With kickoff set for 20:00 CET, all eyes will be on the Gones as they begin their quest to return to the continent’s elite competition.
Early start to the season
Lyon’s European adventure begins earlier than most, coming just days after their final Ligue 1 match of the previous campaign. Fourth-placed finishers last season, the Rhône-side will need to hit the ground running against a Sparta Prague side equally accustomed to continental football. Paulo Fonseca’s men have already completed seven summer signings, including Loïs Openda and Julien Duranville, as they look to strengthen their squad for the challenges ahead.
A test for Paulo Fonseca’s squad
The friendly defeat to Betis on July 29 (4-0) served as a wake-up call for Lyon, who will need to raise their game significantly against a Sparta Prague side that knows how to compete in Europe. The Czech side finished third in their domestic league last season and have already navigated two qualifying rounds to reach this stage.
What’s at stake for Lyon?
Victory against Sparta Prague would propel Lyon into the playoff round, where they could face either Fenerbahçe or Sturm Graz. Should they advance, they’ll face the added challenge of resuming Ligue 1 action on August 22 at Toulouse. The stakes couldn’t be higher as Lyon bid to return to the Champions League proper for the first time since 2020.
Where to watch
The match will air live on Canal+ starting at 20:00 CET. French fans can tune in to catch all the action from the Fortuna Arena as Lyon look to make a winning start to their European campaign.
