Lyon discovers potential third qualifying round opponents in Champions League draw

Olympique Lyonnais will learn the identity of their first European opponent of the season on Monday at the Champions League third qualifying round draw. The Rhône-based club, who finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season, will be seeded for this draw.

UEFA’s calendar presents a subtlety: the third round draw takes place before the first-leg matches of the second round are even played. To designate the seeded teams, the coefficient of the highest-ranked team in each tie from the previous round is used. Thus, the winner of the Fenerbahçe-Gornik Zabrze clash will benefit from the Turkish club’s coefficient, which could work in favour of the Polish side if they were to win.

Alongside Lyon, Bodo/Glimt, Olympiacos and the winner of the Fenerbahçe tie will also be seeded. Lyon’s potential opponents are Union Saint-Gilloise, Sparta Prague, NEC Nimègue or the winner of Sturm Graz-Heart of Midlothian.

The first and second legs of the third qualifying round are scheduled for 4-5 August and 11 August. If they qualify, Lyon will return to the draw for the play-off round on 3 August, for matches scheduled for 18-19 and 25-26 August.

While awaiting this first major European fixture, Lyon continue their summer preparation. The Gones have already faced Mâcon (5-2), Saint-Gall (6-3) and Servette (2-1), and will continue with matches against Slavia Prague on 18 July, Wolfsbourg on 24 July and Betis on 29 July.