UEL Preview: Lille host Brann, Lyon face Utrecht
After a strong start to the Ligue 1 McDonald's season, Lyon will look to carry their domestic form into Europe, whilst Lille will be looking to bounce back after their Derby du Nord defeat to Lens over the weekend.
Another European adventure awaits OL
Lyon's last European adventure came to an end in dramatic circumstances at Old Trafford. Paulo Fonseca's side had looked on course to progress to the semi-finals of the Europa League before three goals late in extra-time from Manchester United saw OL cruelly drop out of the competition.
Their campaign this time around starts with a visit to Utrecht, who have had a mixed start to their Eredivisie campaign. They are eighth and have three wins and three losses; they have lost their last two games by the same 1-0 margin.
Lyon, in contrast, have begun the season well. With four wins in their first five Ligue 1 McDonald's matches, not only do they have the best defensive record in the division, they also sit third, level on points with current leaders AS Monaco.
Back to work β½οΈ pic.twitter.com/QpG9qsC1hC
β Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) September 22, 2025
They head into this trip to Utrecht with confidence, having beaten Angers last time out. However, they will be without club captain Corentin Tolisso. So influential so far this season, the former Bayern Munich midfielder is seeing out his suspension, having been red-carded against Manchester United last season. RΓ©my Descamps is also out.
Lille = a memorable UCL campaign
Last season, Lille had a memorable journey in the Champions League. Having come through the qualifiers, they went on to beat Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, draw against Juventus and beat Feyenoord 6-1 in their final league phase game. They came unstuck against Borussia Dortmund in the Round of 16, however, they will be looking to now go far this season, having qualified for the Europa League.
Bruno Genesio's side suffered their first defeat of the season, against local rivals Lens, over the weekend. However, currently in fifth, they are still well placed in Ligue 1 McDonald's, as they embark on their European campaign.
"If it is an alert that allows us to react on Thursday, at home in the Europa League, it will be beneficial," said Genesio pre-match.
L'Europa League arrive ππ
πΉπππ ππ-ππππ π πππππ β³#LOSCSKB @EuropaLeague pic.twitter.com/dvbTD6sqxaβ LOSC (@losclive) September 24, 2025
After shipping three against Lens, Lille will be looking to shore up their defence, however, they may have to do so without Alexsandro, still sidelined with a muscle injury, and Thomas Meunier. Genesio has decisions to make up front. Olivier Giroud has rolled back the years since joining in the summer, however, Hamza Igamane, thus far used largely as a super-sub, could come in. The Moroccan was lethal in the Europa League last season for Rangers, especially in the game against Nice, when he netted a brace.
LOSC come up against Brann, who currently sit third in the Norwegian league. They are currently unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions. Lille will be looking to end that run on Thursday night.
predicted line-ups
Olympique Lyonnais (4-2-3-1): Greif; Tagliafico, NiakhatΓ©, Mata, Maitland-Niles; Tessmann, Morton; Fofana, Merah, Karabec; Satriano.
FC Utrecht (4-2-3-1): Barkas; El Karouani, Viergever, Hoorn, Horemans; Iqbal, Engwanda; Zechiel, Bozdogan, Blake; Min.
Lille OSC (4-2-3-1): Ozer; Perraud, Mbemba, Ngoy, Mandi; Bouaddi, AndrΓ©; Correia, Haraldsson, Fernandez-Pardo; Igamane.
SK Brann (4-3-3): Dyngeland; Soltvedt, Helland, Knudsen, Pedersen; Sorensen, Kornvig, Myhre; Castro, Magnusson, Hansen.
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