Fenerbahce vs Lyon – News and Probable Lineups

Fenerbahce and Lyon are both on the brink of advancing to the esteemed league phase, as they begin their Champions League playoff on Tuesday evening.

With seven spots left in Europe’s elite competition, these teams will clash at Istanbul’s Stadyumu Sukru Saracoglu for the first leg.

Match overview

Having faced nine defeats in qualifying since their sixth entry in 2008, Fenerbahce is eager to break into the Champions League’s main phase.

The Turkish giants last exited to Benfica at this time last year, which led to Jose Mourinho’s dramatic departure and the appointment of Domenico Tedesco.

Despite Tedesco’s efforts, Fener missed out on the Super Lig title again to Galatasaray, finishing three points behind their fierce rivals.

Tedesco’s side also made it to the Europa League knockout playoffs but were eliminated by Nottingham Forest; he has since been replaced by Ismail Kartal.

In his initial competitive matches, Kartal guided Fenerbahce to victories over Gornik Zabrze and Sturm Graz in rounds two and three of the Champions League qualifiers, although they faced a significant setback on the domestic front.

Resolute in their ambition to end Gala’s supremacy, the Yellow Canaries recorded a surprising 2-1 loss to Genclerbirligi on Saturday, despite Talisca netting for the fifth consecutive game.

With little time to ponder, Fener must concentrate on their sixth encounter with Lyon, and the second in three seasons following a goalless draw in the 2024-25 Europa League.

In more prosperous times for both teams, they faced each other multiple times in the Champions League during the early 2000s, with Lyon triumphing in all four meetings.

To date, the French club has appeared 16 times in the group stage, but their last appearance was in 2019, when they reached the semi-finals, ultimately falling to Bayern Munich.

Gradually overcoming financial difficulties, Lyon finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season and reached the last 16 of the Europa League, where they were eliminated by Celta Vigo.

Still managed by Paulo Fonseca, who has previously taken Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma on European journeys, Les Gones entered this season’s Champions League at the third qualifying round.

After suffering a 2-1 defeat in the first leg against Sparta Prague, they capitalized on their home advantage last week; with Sparta reduced to 10 men, Lyon rallied to win 3-0 in França.

Fonseca’s squad now faces a demanding schedule, including both legs of a tough Champions League playoff, sandwiched between their Ligue 1 opener in Toulouse.

Team News

Fenerbahce faces several fitness concerns ahead of the first leg, with Sofyan Amrabat, Caglar Soyuncu, and high-profile signing Romelu Lukaku expected to miss out.

A Champions League runner-up with Inter de Milão in 2023, Lukaku was omitted from Kartal’s initial UEFA squad list but has stated he is prepared and could be added before kickoff.

The hosts will definitely lack goalkeepers Ederson and Mert Gunok, while Dutch defender Jayden Oosterwolde suffered a hamstring tendon tear earlier this month.

Still, summer arrivals Nathan Ake and Vedat Muriqi – who rejoined the club after scoring 23 goals in La Liga last season – are available, and Brazilian forward Talisca has found the net in all four of Fener’s qualifiers so far.

On the other hand, Lyon will be without Khalis Merah, Mads Bistrup, and star player Pavel Sulc due to injuries.

Although finances remain tight, they have bolstered their squad with Swiss full-back Zachary Athekame and Belgian striker Lois Openda, both arriving on loan from Serie A sides – AC Milan and Juventus respectively.

In midfield, captain Corentin Tolisso redeemed himself for missing a penalty in Prague by assisting Ainsley Maitland-Niles to score in last week’s second leg against Sparta.

Fenerbahce probable starting XI:

Cetin; Semedo, Skriniar, Ake, Brown; Guendouzi, Kante; Greenwood, Asensio, Akturkoglu; Talisca

Lyon probable starting XI:

Greif; Mata, Niakhate, Kluivert; Maitland-Niles, Morton, Tessmann, Ouedraogo; Abner, Tolisso; Openda

Fenerbahce has remained unbeaten in six home Champions League qualifiers – winning both matches this season without letting in a goal – meaning Lyon should aim to avoid trailing after the first leg this week.

Having faced harsh criticism following their league loss on Saturday, Fener can make a statement by taking the lead and drawing closer to their ultimate goal.