Fonseca outlined his starting lineup, highlighting the return of suspended defender Moussa Niakhaté in central defence alongside a potent attacking trio. Ernest Nuamah, Loïs Openda, and Malick Fofana are expected to lead the line as Lyon aim to overturn their deficit and progress to the next stage.

Defensive adjustments and tactical clarity

«We will return to a flat four-defence to secure victory,» Fonseca asserted. «The issue in Prague wasn’t the five-at-the-back system—it was our defensive positioning and lack of aggression in both boxes. Our wingers are now fully prepared, unlike Julien Duranville and Kaïl Boudache at the first leg. We know we can create chances in Sparta’s half, but the priority is to score first. If we do, it will be a fiercely contested match until the final whistle.»

Morton confident in system and mindset shift

Tyler Morton echoed his manager’s optimism, praising the 4-3-3’s suitability for his passing abilities. «I thrive in this setup—it’s familiar and allows me to express myself,» he shared. «The key is aggression with and without the ball. We gave too much space to Sparta in the first leg, but they’re a well-organised team. We haven’t underestimated them for a second. Now, it’s about showing our quality.»

Focus on progression, not revenge

Fonseca avoided framing the tie as a grudge match, instead emphasising the additional week of preparation. «Naturally, we’re disappointed with the first-leg result,» he admitted. «The silver lining is having another opportunity to turn things around and continue our Champions League journey.»