UEFA Champions League playoff round’s second leg, 26/08/26

Lyon have lost their Champions League playoff round on aggregate against Fenerbahçe. The Istanbul-based side scored in quick succession in the first half to crush Lyon’s continental dreams. Malick Fofana halved the deficit, in vain. Les Gones will have to settle for Europa League football.

The Match 

It was arguably Lyon’s most important game in recent years with Paulo Fonseca’s Les Gones on the brink of a return to the lucrative Champions League for the first time since the 2019-2020 campaign. Both teams were on equal terms after last week’s 1-1 draw in Turkey, when Mason Greenwood cancelled out Loïs Openda’s opener. Lyon head coach Paulo Fonseca went all-in for tonight’s clash in fielding substitutes, fringe players and the club’s youths for Saturday’s Ligue 1 away game to Toulouse.

Despite the high stakes, both teams looked comfortable in possession. Lyon pressed high up the pitch to best exploit their wingers’ pace. Malick Fofana drew a fine save from former Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson from a long-range effort. Fenerbahçe were also threatening with left-back Archie Brown powering an effort under the crossbar in a tight angle. Dominik Greif saved it, but the Slovakian was rooted to his goalline when Oguz Aydin’s following corner kick struck his crossbar.

Just as Lyon exerted more control, Fenerbahçe struck, not once but twice, to expose’s Lyon feeble full-backs. First, Maitland-Niles and Nuamah left too much time and space for Aydin to thread a good cross towards Vedat Muriqi. The Kosovo international beat Abner in the air to power the ball home after his former Mallorca teammate, Greif, saved his initial headed effort. Four minutes later, Maitland-Niles was too lenient and allowed Brown a free header at the back post. With the tie out of their grasp, Lyon responded with aplomb. Muriqi went close to scoring an own goal. Ederson clipped a powerful effort from Tyler Morton.

Les Gones started the second half with fresh intensity, but they struggled to discombobulate their opponents, until the hour mark that is. Maitland-Niles cut inside and delivered a cross towards Fofana, who arched his body to volley the ball into Ederson’s net. Groupama Stadium erupted again when Openda and substitute Kail Boudache thought they had restored parity, but their efforts were chalked off.

Unfortunately, Lyon didn’t quite get their momentum going. Nathan Aké and Milan Skriniar continued to shield Ederson as Lyon looked to have ran out of gas. In the end, the Ligue 1 side could have plenty of regrets, because tonight’s loss could have serious financial fallout.

Lyon player ratings

Dominik Greif – 4

Abner Vinicius – 3

Moussa Niakhaté – 5

Ruben Kluivert – 4

Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 4

The former Arsenal full-back is on the crime scene for both of Fenerbahçe’s goals in the first half. His understanding with Nuamah in front of him was not obvious. His performance is somewhat saved by the assist he provided to Fofana.

Corentin Tolisso – 4

Tyler Morton – 5

The English midfielder struggled in the first half in dealing with Fenerbahçe’s French double pivot of N’Golo Kanté and Mattéo Guendouzi. Went close to scoring.

Tanner Tessmann – 5

Malick Fofana – 7

The Belgian was Lyon’s most lively striker tonight, trying his luck, setting the press, and fairly rewarded with a great goal.

Loïs Openda – 4

Ernest Nuamah – 4