Lyon return home needing to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit, but Paulo Fonseca's team selection raises questions — ten changes from their usual league lineup suggest the focus may be elsewhere. Sparta Praha also rotate heavily, with seven regulars missing, though Brian Priske's…
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Sign inLyon open their 2026/27 UEFA Champions League campaign with a third qualifying round first leg away to Sparta Praha on Tuesday, August 11. Paulo Fonseca's Ligue 1 side travel with a reshuffled defence and a new attacking focal point as competitive European football returns.
Belgian forward Loïs Openda, signed on a season-long loan from Juventus, is expected to make his competitive Lyon debut and lead the line. Former Liverpool youngster Tyler Morton has recovered from a groin issue and should start in midfield alongside captain Corentin Tolisso.
Fonseca must deal with a makeshift back line. Centre-back Moussa Niakhaté and left-back Nicolas Tagliafico are both suspended after red cards in Lyon's final Europa League match of last season. Ainsley Maitland-Niles is also a doubt, forcing an experimental defensive setup. Julien Duranville is likely to feature in attack, with goalkeeper Dominik Greif starting.
Sparta boss Brian Priske has a key absentee in first-choice goalkeeper Peter Vindahl, who misses out with a foot injury. Jakub Surovčík will deputise between the posts. Midfielder Sivert Mannsverk and Emmanuel Uchenna are also unavailable.
All eyes in attack will be on summer signing Jonatan Braut Brunes – cousin of Erling Haaland – who scored on his competitive debut in the 3-1 home win over Zlin. Former West Ham midfielder Andy Irving also netted in that game, while ex-Lyon winger Adam Karabec converted a penalty. Sparta have already played two Czech league matches, giving them a slight match-fitness edge.
Lyon arrive after a mixed pre-season featuring heavy defeats to Real Betis and Slavia Praha, though they also recorded high-scoring wins. Their Ligue 1 campaign ended poorly last term, conceding 10 goals in their final four matches and keeping consecutive clean sheets just once since February. Sparta, meanwhile, lost their league opener 3-1 at FC Brno before responding with a 3-1 victory over Zlin. The hosts lost only one of 15 home league fixtures last season and reached the Conference League knockout stages.
With Niakhaté and Tagliafico absent, Lyon's back line will be severely tested by Sparta's direct attack led by Brunes. The Czech side's last six European ties all featured over 2.5 goals, suggesting an open contest. Sparta's home record – just one league defeat in 2024/25 – and early competitive rhythm give them a solid platform in the first leg. Lyon's ability to manage defensive spaces against a physically aggressive opponent could define the tie.
The second leg is scheduled for August 18, with the winners advancing to the Champions League play-off round. For Lyon, avoiding a deficit to take back to France is paramount, while Sparta will aim to exploit any early-season rustiness from their visitors.
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