Olympique Lyonnais were certainly hoping for a better start to their season. Away at Sparta Prague for the first leg of the third qualifying round of the Champions League, Les Gones suffered a worrying 2-1 defeat in the Czech Republic.
Playing in an experimental 3-4-2-1 formation, Paulo Fonseca’s men appeared to lack their bearings for the vast majority of the match. That is why seeing them go into the dressing room with a one-goal lead at half-time, thanks to an own goal by Martin Suchomel (0–1, 45′), seemed nothing short of a miracle.
Despite coming out stronger in the second half, Lyon nevertheless conceded, somewhat predictably, the equaliser on the hour mark through Matěj Ryneš (1–1, 63′). It was a blow to the Rouge et Bleu, followed by a second, as captain Corentin Tolisso missed his penalty four minutes later, following good work from new signing Loïs Openda. And it took them only a few seconds to regret it, with John Mercado scoring Prague’s second goal straight away (2-1, 69′).
Reorganised into a 4-3-3 formation following Paulo Fonseca’s substitutions, Lyon pushed forward but were unable to turn the tide. With a week to go before the second leg in front of their home crowd at the Groupama Stadium, the Champions League has never seemed as far away as it did tonight for the Rhône side.
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