Sparta Prague set to tackle Lyon without captain in Champions League qualifier return
Fresh from a 2-1 victory over Olympique Lyonnais in the Champions League third qualifying round first leg, Sparta Prague will host a determined Lyon side in the return fixture with key changes in their squad.
After five seasons at Sparta Prague, captain Lukas Haraslin completed a move to Al-Fateh in Saudi Arabia following the opening leg triumph. The Czech club is set to receive around €5 million for the 27-year-old winger. His departure marks the second high-profile exit this summer after Jan Kuchta joined Legia Warsaw.
The loss of Haraslin presents coach Brian Priske with a tactical challenge. Though Sparta managed a positive result in the first leg, their recent 0-2 league defeat to Mladá Boleslav—fielding seven new starters—demonstrates the need for consistency. The team’s attacking depth will be tested, especially with Haraslin’s replacement, Josimar Alcocer, expected to retain his starting berth.
Priske remains optimistic, emphasizing Sparta’s ability to replicate their first-leg performance: « We have a real opportunity to qualify if we deliver the same level of play. Lyon came to face a team that had just started its season—never easy. They haven’t played since then, which gives us a slight edge. I hope we stay focused, particularly in midfield. »
