Lyon prepares for Champions League play-off first leg against Fenerbahçe

Olympique Lyonnais is traveling to Turkey for their Champions League play-off first leg against Fenerbahçe, scheduled for this Tuesday at 9 PM. The team includes among its new signings Zachary Athekame, who has been integrated into the squad, and Mads Bidstrup may also be present, having recently resumed team training according to L'Équipe.

However, OL is facing notable absences. Czech international Pavel Sulc and attacking midfielder Khalis Merah did not participate in training on Monday morning, the day before the match. Their return to the squad is expected later this week according to information from L'Équipe.

Olympique Lyonnais, which has a long history in the Champions League, is looking to regain its status among the European elite after a six-year absence from the competition. The club was a regular participant between 2000 and 2020, with their last appearance in a semi-final in August 2020 against Bayern Munich, where they were eliminated.

For the club, the stakes of this play-off are crucial. A positive result could mark a turning point towards a return to the Champions League, a goal Lyon has worked hard to achieve in recent seasons. According to RMC Sport, this encounter could influence the future of the club.

The match against Fenerbahçe thus represents an opportunity for OL to move closer to their goal, despite challenges with absences and the integration of new signings into the squad. Supporters are eagerly anticipating the outcome of this decisive match.