Securing victory tonight against Sparta Prague would not only level the tie but also propel Lyon into the next playoff stage. Success here would then hinge on overcoming either Fenerbahçe or Sturm Graz in the subsequent two-legged playoff round on August 18-19 and 25-26. Historical precedent suggests this path is navigable: during the 2009-2010 season — one of Lyon’s deepest Champions League runs, ending in the semifinals — the club breezed past Anderlecht in the playoffs with a 5-1 aggregate score in August 2009.

1999’S Champions League setback: humiliation by Maribor

Lyon’s debut in the Champions League in 1999 came with high expectations. Fresh off signing Brazilian striker Sonny Anderson from FC Barcelona for a then-record 125 million French francs (€18 million), and having finished third in Ligue 1 the previous season, the club was brimming with confidence. Yet, their maiden European voyage turned into a nightmare. Bernard Lacombe’s side was stunned at home in the first leg of the third qualifying round on August 10, 1999, by a late goal from Maribor’s Filipovic (89th minute), despite dominating play.

The humiliation deepened in the second leg in Slovenia on August 25. Lyon crumbled to a 0-2 defeat, with goals from Simundza (24th) and Balajic (45th), exposing a glaring lack of composure. The side that day featured Anderson alongside Tony Vairelles, Alain Caveglia, Vikash Dhorasoo, and Grégory Coupet. The following day’s headlines in the French press bluntly labeled it « Lyon, the summer flop ».

Relegated to the UEFA Cup, Lyon advanced past HJK Helsinki and Celtic Glasgow before being ousted in the Round of 16 by Werder Bremen (3-0, 0-4). Domestically, Lyon finished third in Ligue 1 in May 2000, and were eliminated in the quarterfinals of both the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue.

2013’S Champions League disappointment: Griezmann’s revenge

By 2013, Lyon had matured into a seven-time Ligue 1 champion and semifinalist in the Champions League (2010). Yet, the club faced another summer setback in Europe. After dispatching Grasshopper Zurich in the third qualifying round (1-0, 1-0), they met Real Sociedad in the playoffs — a team they had previously deemed too frail for their youth academy.

Antoine Griezmann, then a rising star, exacted his revenge in spectacular fashion. In the first leg at Groupama Stadium on August 20, Griezmann opened the scoring (17th) with a breathtaking acrobatic volley from his left foot, which dominated the next day’s headlines. Real Sociedad went on to win 2-0, with Seferovic adding a second (49th). The second leg at Anoeta on August 28 saw Lyon suffer another 0-2 defeat, with Carlos Vela netting twice (67th, 90th+1). The side that day included Samuel Umtiti, Yoann Gourcuff, Alexandre Lacazette, and Nabil Fekir.

Relegated to the Europa League, Lyon reached the quarterfinals before bowing out to Juventus (0-1, 1-2). The club finished fifth in Ligue 1, exited early in the Coupe de France, and lost the Coupe de la Ligue final to PSG (1-2).

2014’S Europa League debacle: the Astra Giurgiu fiasco

« We got destroyed by a bunch of nobodies we didn’t even know! » Bernard Lacombe, then vice-president, famously remarked after Lyon’s humiliating elimination in the Europa League playoffs by Astra Giurgiu. The modest Romanian side stunned the French giants with a 1-2 home defeat on August 21, 2014, despite an early goal from Steed Malbranque (25th). Goals from Fatai (71st) and Budescu (81st, penalty) sealed Lyon’s fate.

The return leg in Romania saw Lyon salvage a 1-0 victory through Jordan Ferri (23rd), but it was not enough. The damage was done. The side that day featured Corentin Tolisso, Christophe Jallet, and Maxime Gonalons. Lyon recovered to finish second in Ligue 1 in May 2015, securing a return to the Champions League. Yet, the Astra Giurgiu fiasco marked the end of an 18-season unbroken streak in European competitions for Lyon.