2026-2027 Champions League: Fenerbahçe vs. Lyon, Probable Lineups

Fenerbahçe and Lyon will face off at 9 p.m. in Istanbul in the first leg of the 2026–2027 Champions League playoffs. The Turkish side comes into the match off wins against Gornik Zabrze and Sturm Graz, while the French team defeated Sparta Prague. The second leg is scheduled for next week in France.

Fenerbahçe has put together a major transfer campaign, aiming both for the league title and Champions League qualification. Lukaku has arrived but isn’t ready yet, and Muriqi (or Talisca) will start from the 1st minute alongside fellow new signing Greenwood, with Asensio and Akturkoglu behind him. In midfield are Guendouzi and Kanté.

Lyon will field new signing Openda, who arrived from Juventus, up front, with Nuamah, Tolisso, and Fofana behind him. In midfield are Tessman and Morton, with Maitland-Niles and Abner Vinicius on the wings.

Fenerbahçe vs. Lyon: Probable Lineups
Fenerbahçe (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Semedo, Skriniar, Aké, Brown; Guendouzi, Kanté; Greenwood, Asensio, Akturkoglu; Muriqi. Head Coach: Kartal.
Olympique Lyon (4-2-3-1): Greif; Maitland-Niles, Kluiver, Niakhaté, Abner Vinicius; Tessmann, Morton; Nuamah, Tolisso, Fofana; Openda. Head Coach: Fonseca.

“We’re stronger than we were in previous weeks,” said Lyon head coach Paulo Fonseca at a press conference. “We want to make history, and we’re not here to play defense for 90 minutes. I want a brave team. It’s important to have time to work. We had a shorter preseason. Some players arrived a little later. Today we’re stronger than in previous weeks. Time has allowed the team to improve. We can expect to see a stronger, braver, and more focused Lyon, because we’ve worked very hard and made significant progress in recent weeks. The players know what they have to do.”