Following a 0-2 defeat to Slavia Prague on Saturday — their first setback in three preparatory matches — Olympique Lyonnais will discover their third qualifying round opponent at noon today. The first leg is scheduled for August 4 or 5, with the return match on August 11. As top seeds, the Gones boast the highest UEFA coefficient (65.750) in this qualifying path, which should theoretically lead them through four matches (including a playoff tie on August 18-19 and 25-26) to the Champions League group stage.

Challenging path awaits OL in Champions League qualifying

History suggests this route will be anything but straightforward. Since this format (third round + playoffs) was introduced by UEFA thirteen seasons ago, only two Ligue 1 teams have successfully navigated it: Monaco in 2016 and Lille in 2024. Lyon themselves fell at the playoff hurdle in August 2013, losing 0-2 on aggregate to Real Sociedad, spearheaded by Antoine Griezmann.

Potential third-round opponents: strengths and weaknesses

The Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise emerges as the most formidable contender. Directly qualified for this stage, they hold the highest UEFA coefficient (48.000) among the five possible opponents. Champions of Belgium in 2025 and Cup winners in 2026, they finished as runners-up in the league behind Club Bruges last season. Though they failed to progress past qualifying in two previous attempts, Union Saint-Gilloise competed in the Champions League last year, narrowly missing the round of 16 on goal difference.

Union Saint-Gilloise: a defensive yet formidable outfit

Under a 5-3-2 formation, the Brussels-based team maintains a relatively stable squad, aside from the imminent departure of Dutch goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen (2.04m) and winger Anan Khalaili, who remains unavailable following a failed transfer to Inter Milan (€32 million with bonuses, a club record). Union have been in preparation since June 24, recording two victories in friendly matches: 4-0 against Romanian side S. Bucarest (July 7) and 2-1 against Danish club Aarhus. They suffered a setback on Saturday, losing 3-3 (after 75 minutes) to PSV Eindhoven before falling to a 0-4 scoreline in the second period. Their next friendly is scheduled against Ostend in Ostend, followed by a closed-door match against Lille next Saturday, ahead of the Belgian Super Cup against Club Bruges on July 31.

The Czech side Sparta Prague, ranked second in their domestic league with a UEFA coefficient of 38.250, poses another stern test. Sparta’s aggressive pressing and physical approach could disrupt Lyon’s rhythm, as noted by coach Paulo Fonseca after Saturday’s match: “They’re a tough team to break down, committing many fouls to halt our attacks.”

Should Lyon face the Dutch side NEC Nijmegen, they would encounter third-place finishers from the Eredivisie (UEFA coefficient: 13.585), who have also secured direct qualification for this round. Alternatively, the winner of the second-round tie between Austrian champions Sturm Graz (coefficient 26.000) and Scottish side Heart of Midlothian — runners-up in the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership — awaits.

Lyon’s preparations have been far from flawless, conceding eight goals across four pre-season friendlies. The team, missing Malick Fofana (ankle injury) and Moussa Niakhaté (suspended for the first leg), will need to tighten their defensive organization regardless of their opponent.