Lyon set to learn its UEFA champions league opponent this monday
Olympique Lyonnais will discover its UEFA champions league third qualifying round opponent this monday at noon. The potential adversaries are Union Saint-Gilloise, Sparta Prague, NEC Nijmegen or the winner of Sturm Graz-Hearts.
Lyon’s group stage preparation hit a snag last saturday in Germany, where the French side suffered a 0-2 defeat to Slavia Prague, ending a three-match preseason winning streak. The defeat came during a training camp at Adidas headquarters in Herzogenaurach, marking the start of a seven-day intensive preparation phase. The upcoming clash, scheduled for august 4th or 5th, will determine the club’s next UEFA champions league opponent. With the best UEFA coefficient (65.750) in this qualifying path, Lyon is among the top-seeded teams, with a clear objective: reaching the group stage through a two-legged playoff in mid-august if the third qualifying round is successfully navigated.
a bumpy road to the group stage
Over the past thirteen seasons, this third qualifying round and playoff format has proven treacherous for Ligue 1 sides. Only two French teams have emerged victorious: Monaco in 2016 and Lille in 2024. Lyon’s own campaign ended in disappointment in august 2013, when the club was eliminated in the playoff round by Real Sociedad, led by Antoine Griezmann (0-2, 0-2).
five potential opponents, each with unique challenges
The Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, which boasts the strongest UEFA coefficient (48.000) among the five potential opponents, secured direct qualification for this round after clinching the belgian league title in 2025 and the cup in 2026. Despite two prior playoff exits, the Brussels-based team made a strong impression in the UEFA champions league last season, narrowly missing the round of 16 on goal difference (27th place with 9 points). Their challenge included a 2-3 defeat to Marseille in December, highlighting their competitiveness. Currently preparing since june 24th, Union has played three preseason matches, winning twice against Romanian side S. Bucharest (4-0, july 7th) and Danish team Aarhus (2-1) before a 3-3 draw against PSV Eindhoven (two 75-minute halves) and a subsequent 0-4 loss. Their next friendly will be played behind closed doors against LOSC Lille on saturday, ahead of the belgian supercup against Club Bruges on july 31st.
Lyon could also face Sparta Prague (UEFA coefficient 38.250), a team known for its aggressive pressing and physicality. Paulo Fonseca, Lyon’s head coach, described their style as challenging to break down due to their intense man-to-man marking and frequent fouls to disrupt play. With Malick Fofana (ankle) and Moussa Niakhaté unavailable—Niakhaté will be suspended for the first leg—Lyon must tighten its defense after conceding eight goals in four preseason fixtures.
The Dutch side NEC Nijmegen (UEFA coefficient 13.585), which finished third in its domestic league, is another possible opponent. Finally, Lyon may draw the winner of the austrian champions Sturm Graz (UEFA coefficient 26.000) against scottish side Hearts of Midlothian, with the first leg in austria and the return in scotland scheduled for july 28th.
