Champions League: Moussa Niakhaté returns as Lyon name squad to face Sparta Prague

Olympique Lyonnais will welcome back Moussa Niakhaté for Tuesday’s Champions League third qualifying-round second leg against Sparta Prague at Groupama Stadium as they attempt to overturn a 2-1 first-leg defeat.

Paulo Fonseca’s side must win the second meeting if they are to keep their European campaign alive after Sparta Prague secured the advantage in the opening leg.

Lyon have now confirmed the squad that will be available for the decisive match.

Niakhaté returns after completing his suspension and provides Fonseca with another option in defence.

His return is one of the main changes to the group selected for the match.

However, Lyon will still be without several players. Nicolas Tagliafico, Mads Bidstrup, Khalis Merah and Pavel Sulc are among those unavailable for the encounter.

Justin Bengui has also been included in the squad, taking the place of Yvann Konan.

Lyon face a crucial second leg

The match at Groupama Stadium represents an important test for Lyon after their 2-1 loss in Prague.

The French side now need to overturn the deficit at home to continue their Champions League campaign.

The first-leg result leaves Sparta Prague with the advantage heading into Tuesday’s meeting, while Lyon will be looking to use the return fixture to change the outcome of the tie.

Fonseca has therefore selected a group that includes the returning Niakhaté as well as Bengui, who comes into the squad in place of Konan.

The Lyon coach will also have several established options available across defence, midfield and attack.

The Lyon squad

Goalkeepers Greif, Bengui and Descamps have been named in the group.

The defensive options include Abner, Niakhaté, Kluivert, Mata, Kango, Ouédraogo, Kamara and Maitland-Niles.

In midfield, Fonseca has selected Tessmann, Tolisso, Morton, De Carvalho and Nartey.

The attacking options are Nuamah, Fofana, Openda, Duranville, Boudache and Himbert.

With Lyon trailing 2-1 from the first leg, the squad will now prepare for the return match at Groupama Stadium.

Niakhaté’s return gives Fonseca an additional defensive option, while the inclusion of Bengui provides another change to the group.

The absences of Tagliafico, Bidstrup, Merah and Sulc remain significant squad developments ahead of the second leg, but Lyon will have the opportunity to respond on home territory.

The objective is straightforward: overturn the one-goal deficit against Sparta Prague and keep their Champions League hopes alive.

Full Lyon squad

Goalkeepers: Greif, Bengui, Descamps

Defenders: Abner, Niakhaté, Kluivert, Mata, Kango, Ouédraogo, Kamara, Maitland-Niles

Midfielders: Tessmann, Tolisso, Morton, De Carvalho, Nartey

Forwards: Nuamah, Fofana, Openda, Duranville, Boudache, Himbert