UCL Preview: Lyon take on Fenerbahçe in playoff
Ahead of tonight's Champions League Playoff clash, we look at the latest from the two teams as Lyon head to Istanbul to take on Fenerbahçe.
Looking to avoid a repeat of the last tie
Despite Lyon having emerged victorious in the third qualifying round, it was from easy going. Against Czech side Sparta Prague, they made heavy weather of the first leg, losing 2-1 with a missed penalty. While they impressed in the second leg at Groupama Stadium, winning 3-0, that was a result aided by the visitors having had a man sent off.
That said, fitness is on Lyon's side to a degree it wasn't in the previous tie. Nicolas Tagliafico is still suspended, and attackers Pavel Šulc and Khalis Merah are injured, but as the second leg showed, having young wingers Ernest Nuamah and Malick Fofana available makes a massive difference. Speaking pre-match, manager Paulo Fonseca emphasized that, saying of his team's improving situation,
"Today, we are stronger than in the past weeks. Time allowed the team to progress. Tomorrow, we will be able to see a stronger, more courageous, more focused OL, because we have worked very well and progressed in the last few weeks. Players know what they need to do tomorrow, even if the team can still improve."
Ambitious and determined, Moussa Niakhaté had his say on today's press conference as well. 🎙️#FenerbahçeOL pic.twitter.com/cnlJSelZa1
— Olympique Lyonnais 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@OL_English) August 17, 2026
Familiar faces for Fener
When Les Gones take the pitch at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium tonight, there will be no fewer than nine former Ligue 1 McDonald's players available for manager İsmail Kartal, a former club legend in charge for his fourth spell at the club, having replaced Domenico Tedesco. Mason Greenwood, freshly arrived from Olympique de Marseille, is probably the most familiar name, but N'Golo Kanté, Matteo Guendouzi and defenders Diego Carlos and Milan Skriniar are also in Kartal's squad.
Coming off wins over Polish side Gornik Zabrze and Austrians Sturm Graz, Fenerbahçe lost their opening league match away to Gençlerbirliği, the hosts coming back from a goal down, but rest assured this match will see them with a full-strength side as they look to join compatriots Galatasaray in the league phase. Missing only midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and former Marseille attacker Cengiz Ünder, the hosts will look to play an attack-minded 4-2-3-1 with new signing Romelu Lukaku on the bench to start.
Predicted lineups:
Fenerbahçe (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Semedo, Skriniar, Aké, Brown; Kanté, Guendouzi; Greenwood, Asensio, Akturkoglu; Talisca
Olympique Lyonnais (4-3-3): Greif; Maitland-Niles, Kluivert (or Mata), Niakhaté, Abner; Tessmann, Morton, Tolisso; Nuamah, Openda, Fofana
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