Defeated by Slavia Prague (0-2) in their first preseason outing on Saturday, the Olympique Lyonnais concluded its opening week of training in Herzogenaurach, Germany, with a sobering reality. The French side, which had won its previous three preparatory matches, must now prepare for a challenging path ahead as it awaits confirmation of its third qualifying round opponent. The first leg is scheduled for August 4 or 5, with the return on August 11. As top seeds, Lyon holds the highest UEFA coefficient (65.750) among the potential opponents, giving it a theoretical advantage in this path that could lead to the group stage in just four matches—provided they overcome the third round and the subsequent playoff (first legs on August 18-19, second legs on August 25-26).

Lyon’s past struggles in Champions League qualifiers

History suggests caution. Since the current format (third round + playoffs) was introduced by UEFA thirteen seasons ago, only two Ligue 1 teams have emerged victorious: Monaco in the summer of 2016 and Lille in 2024. The last time Lyon faced this obstacle was in August 2013, when it fell short against Real Sociedad and Antoine Griezmann (0-2, 0-2).

Potential opponents: strengths and weaknesses

Among the possible adversaries, Union Saint-Gilloise stands out with the highest UEFA coefficient (48.000) of the five potential opponents. The Belgian side, crowned Belgian champions in 2025 and cup winners in 2026, narrowly missed out on the Champions League group stage last season after finishing seventh in the league. Their campaign ended in heartbreak, with a two-point deficit separating them from qualification. They also suffered a narrow defeat to Marseille (2-3) in the group stage, missing the knockout rounds by the narrowest of margins.

The Belgian team, known for its disciplined 5-3-2 formation, has maintained a relatively stable squad this summer, aside from the expected departures of goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen (2.04 m) and winger Anan Khalaili, whose transfer to Inter Milan fell through due to unsatisfactory cardiac tests. Their preseason has been mixed, with victories over Romanian side S. Bucarest (4-0) and Danish outfit Aarhus (2-1), but a setback against PSV Eindhoven (3-3 after 75 minutes, then 0-4). They will face Ostend in a closed-door friendly before hosting Lille in another closed-door match next Saturday, ahead of the Belgian Super Cup against Club Bruges on July 31.

Sparta Prague, ranked second in the Czech league with a UEFA coefficient of 38.250, presents another formidable challenge. Lyon’s recent 0-2 defeat to Slavia Prague—a team known for its aggressive pressing and physicality—has raised questions about the French side’s ability to break down deep-lying defensive lines. Paulo Fonseca, Lyon’s manager, described the Slavia approach as difficult to penetrate, citing their intense man-marking and tactical fouls to disrupt play.

If Lyon faces NEC Nijmegen, the Dutch side’s relatively low UEFA coefficient (13.585) might suggest an easier path, but caution is warranted. The third-placed team in the Eredivisie, Nijmegen has shown resilience in European competitions and could prove a tough nut to crack. Lyon’s defensive frailties have already been exposed in preseason, with eight goals conceded in four matches, including a heavy defeat to PSV Eindhoven.

The final potential opponent would emerge from the clash between Sturm Graz (Austrian champions in 2025, UEFA coefficient: 26.000) and Heart of Midlothian, the Scottish side that finished second in the 2025-2026 domestic league. The tie’s outcome remains uncertain, with the first leg in Austria and the second in Scotland scheduled for July 28.