Still reeling from a disappointing start to their European campaign last week in Prague, where a 2-1 loss included a missed penalty from Tolisso, Lyon finds itself with its back against the wall this Tuesday. The pressure is immense as they seek to overturn the deficit in this crucial third qualifying round match.

Playing on their home turf at the Groupama Stadium, OL’s victory is paramount to reignite their aspirations for a Champions League group stage appearance, a feat they haven’t achieved since their semi-final run in 2020 against Bayern Munich. Should the Gones emerge victorious, their next challenge in the play-offs would likely be against Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, who have already established a strong lead against Sturm Graz in their respective tie.

Kick-off time for the OL-Sparta Prague return match

Paulo Fonseca’s squad may benefit from a slight advantage, as their Czech opponents, Sparta Prague, have been actively engaged in their domestic league, having played their third championship match this past Saturday, resulting in a 3-1 defeat to Mlada Boleslav. This demanding schedule could potentially impact their recovery and readiness.

For Olympique Lyonnais, coach Fonseca is expected to field his potent attacking trio of Fofana, Openda, and Nuamah, with Moussa Niakhaté potentially returning to bolster a four-man defense. The highly anticipated match is scheduled to kick off at 9:00 PM at Lyon’s Groupama Stadium.

Where to watch the OL-Sparta Prague return match on TV

Football enthusiasts wishing to follow this decisive encounter can tune in live on Canal+ and Canal+ Foot, the official broadcasters for the competition.