Lyon return home with a slight advantage after last week's 1-1 draw in Istanbul, knowing a clean sheet would send them through. Paulo Fonseca has rotated heavily, with six regulars missing from the XI, while Fenerbahçe are also depleted by injuries to key creators Asensio and Akt…
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Sign inLyon welcome Fenerbahçe for the decisive second leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off tie on Wednesday 26 August 2026, with the aggregate score locked at 1‑1 after the first meeting a week ago. A place in the league phase is on the line for both clubs.
Fenerbahçe continue to manage a long absentee list. Jayden Oosterwolde (Achilles tendon) and goalkeeper Mert Günok (muscle) remain sidelined, while midfielder Anthony Musaba (muscle) is also out. Sofyan Amrabat and Çağlar Söyüncü are doubts and will be assessed late, but Romelu Lukaku is in contention after making his debut from the bench in the first leg. The Belgian could be handed a start alongside the in‑form Talisca, who has scored in five consecutive appearances across all competitions.
Lyon are missing three players. Midfielder Khalis Merah (sprained ankle), Czech forward Pavel Šulc (knee) and Danish midfielder Mads Bidstrup (knee) are all unavailable for Paulo Fonseca. Tyler Morton and Tanner Tessmann, who impressed in the first leg, are expected to anchor the midfield again, with Ainsley Maitland‑Niles providing width. Lois Openda, on loan from Juventus, will lead the attack after scoring in Istanbul.
The August 18 opener produced a tight 1‑1 draw. Anderson Vinicius gave the Turkish side the lead after 37 minutes, only for Openda to equalise three minutes later. Lyon enjoyed spells of possession but could not find a winner, leaving the tie delicately poised. With the away‑goals rule no longer in effect, a score draw on the night would send the match to extra time.
Fonseca’s side reached this stage by recovering from a 2‑1 first‑leg defeat against Sparta Prague to win 3‑0 in France. The comeback demonstrated Lyon’s capacity to overturn a deficit in front of their own supporters, a quality they may need to draw on again. Their most recent competitive action was the first leg in this tie.
Openda’s pace and intelligent movement troubled Fenerbahçe in the first leg, and his goal underlined why Lyon brought him in from Juventus. He will again test the organisation of Škriniar, the experienced Slovak centre‑back who anchors the visitors’ defence. If Openda can isolate Škriniar in the channels, Lyon will create the clear chances that could unlock the tie. Conversely, Fenerbahçe will look to the creativity of Talisca and the physical presence of Lukaku to keep the Lyon back line under pressure.
The winner of this play‑off round advances to the newly formatted Champions League league phase; the loser drops into the Europa League league phase. Lyon have won all four previous Champions League meetings with Fenerbahçe, but the sides drew 0‑0 in last season’s Europa League group stage and the first leg suggests another tight contest. The return leg offers both teams a shot at the continent’s top table – and a chance to make the 120th anniversary season for the visitors a memorable one.
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