Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca: “Believe the impossible is within reach” ahead of Champions League qualifier
With the third qualifying round first leg against Sparta Prague looming (Tuesday, 8 PM), Paulo Fonseca has underlined the magnitude of the challenge facing Olympique Lyonnais. The Portuguese tactician insists his squad is prepared to chase a Champions League berth, though key players remain sidelined.
Is the team truly ready for this pivotal moment?
This pre-season has been condensed, but we’ve worked hard and I believe we’re ready. A few players arrived later, which has naturally impacted our rhythm. Still, the squad is in good shape.
How do you view the heavy pre-season loss to Real Betis (0-4)?
That result reflected the typical pre-season adjustment period, especially with late arrivals like Malick Fofana, Ernest Nuamah, and Loïs Openda. The young attackers need time to adapt fully. It was also an opportunity to identify areas needing improvement.
What’s the status of Pavel Sulc and Mads Bidstrup?
Sulc is dealing with knee inflammation, while Bidstrup has cartilage issues. I hope they recover quickly. Sulc, who joined late after World Cup duty, was eager to play but it’s simply not possible right now. His performances last season proved his quality, and I’m aware other clubs are interested in him.
« We have the capacity to reach the Champions League group stage. It won’t be easy, but we’re ready. »
How do you assess Sparta Prague’s threat, particularly Adam Karabec?
Karabec is Sparta Prague’s standout player. He’s influential in midfield, highly motivated, and a quality individual. We’ll need to be cautious on set pieces, as he may have analyzed our strategies. Beyond that, I have no concerns about his impact.
Does the squad grasp the importance of this double-header (August 4 and 11)?
Absolutely. We’ve discussed it openly. Everyone knows how tough our domestic campaign was to qualify, and the Champions League’s significance for Lyon is clear. We must embrace the mindset that nothing is impossible—we have the talent to achieve this goal, and we’ll give it our all.
