How is the team shaping up for this pivotal moment?
The pre-season has been unconventional—shorter, more intense—and yet we are ready. We’ve worked hard, though a few key players haven’t had the same preparation time. Still, I believe the squad is in good shape.

The heavy loss to Real Betis last week raised eyebrows. What we saw was simply part of the pre-season adjustment process. Players like Malick Fofana, Ernest Nuamah, and Loïs Openda arrived late, so their integration is still a work in progress. The match against Betis was an eye-opener—we fielded a young attack that clearly needs more time to reach its peak.

Injuries to Pavel Šulc and Mads Bidstrup will test the squad’s depth. Šulc is dealing with a knee inflammation, while Bidstrup faces cartilage issues. Both are sidelined, and Šulc, in particular, missed time due to World Cup commitments. He wanted to be here for this match, but it’s not possible. That said, he had an outstanding season and will always attract interest from other clubs. In football, no player is truly irreplaceable.

Sparta Prague’s Adam Karabec knows Olympique Lyonnais inside out. He’s their standout performer right now—dynamic, free-flowing, and highly motivated. His set-piece expertise could pose a threat, so we’ll need to be vigilant there. Beyond that, I have no concerns.