Other Competitions
Europa League Preview: Lyon head to Romania
Lyon look to continue European success
As Lyon head east, a cloud hangs over the club following the nine-month suspension handed to Paulo Fonseca after his behavior on the touchline against Stade Brestois on Sunday. Despite Lyon getting a comeback win crucial for their chances of finishing in the European places once more, the manager was incensed with the match officials and received a red card and later a heavy sanction from the LFP. Speaking to the press pre-match, Fonseca demurred over being punishe,d preferring instead to focus on the match at hand, saying, "I am totally focused on the match and on what we have prepared. My head is really on tomorrow's game. We have a good team, I'm just thinking about the game that happens as always."
A decision to make?
With all of his players fit, though, Fonseca has a decision to make in this contest. He's largely preferred summer signing Georges Mikautadze since taking the reins, but after a canny double on Sunday, will he be able to avoid having Alexandre Lacazette lead the line. Out of contract in the summer, the veteran has shown he still has what it takes and may be eager to conjure the sort of heroics he displayed during Lyon's run to the semifinals of this competition in 2017. It is true that Mikautadze is somewhat lacking in European experience, but his form under Fonseca has been impressive indeed, giving the Portuguese a difficult choice.
Squad đŠ pic.twitter.com/ZjLZ7E9kXf
â Olympique Lyonnais đŹđ§đșđž (@OL_English) March 4, 2025
One-time European Champions
As for Lyon's opponents, despite Romania being a lightly-regarded league, they have plenty of history. Eropean champions in 1986, when they were known as Steaua BucureÈti, the team are currently top of their league, but have few players who have any recognition on the European stage.
The squad, led by Cyrpiot manager Elias Charalambous, is composed largely of domestic players. Having lost skillful winger Florian Coman in the summer to Italy has hardly dimmed their style, though. Unbeaten in league play since August, in Europe they started in the Champions League play-off rounds, before dropping into the league phase. While they lost to Rangers and Manchester United, they still managed to finish 12th, before handily beating Greek side PAOK to reach the Round of 16. Coming off a fiery draw to derby rivals Dinamo at the weekend, they'll surely be ready to give their all in hopes of taking a lead back to Lyon next week.
Predicted Lineups:
FCSB (4-2-3-1): Tarnovanu; Popescu, Ngazana, Dawa, Radunovic; Sut, Chiriches; Miculescu, Tanase, Stefanescu; Gheorgita
Olympique Lyonnais (4-2-3-1): Perri; Maitland-Niles, Mata, Niakhaté, Tagliafico; Tessmann, Matic; Cherki, Tolisso, Nuamah, Mikautadze (or Lacazette)
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