Celta Vigo will host Olympique Lyonnais at Balaídos on Thursday for the first leg of their Europa League Round of 16 matchup. This marks the first encounter between these two clubs on European soil. Celta reached this stage after overcoming PAOK in the playoff rounds, while Lyon secured direct entry by topping their group in the League Phase.
Match Preview
Celta Vigo advanced to this stage of the competition for the first time since the 2016-17 season. They achieved this through back-to-back 1-0 wins against PAOK. Claudio Giráldez’s squad has seen four of their last five matches decided by a single goal, winning three of those encounters.
The team heads into this clash with a strong record, having gone unbeaten in their last four Europa League matches. During this period, their only dropped points came from a 1-1 draw against Red Star Belgrade. Notably, Celta has won four out of five home matches in the tournament this season.
Recent Performance
- Last four Europa League matches: 3 wins, 1 draw.
- Home record in the tournament: 4 wins in 5 matches.
Celta Vigo boasts a perfect record against French clubs in the Europa League, defeating Lille and Nice 2-1 at home this season. They last advanced past the knockout stage in 2017.
On the other hand, Olympique Lyonnais enters this fixture following a less stable period domestically, without a win in their last four competitive games. However, they had a stellar League Phase, with seven wins from eight matches. Lyon’s only knockout loss in recent seasons occurred during the 2018 Round of 16 against CSKA Moscow.
Knockout Stage History
- Lyon’s record in the knockout stages: Unbeaten in six away matches.
- Last season’s defeat: Manchester United in extra time (quarter-finals).
This season, Lyon’s sole loss in the tournament came in November against Real Betis in Spain. However, they have never been eliminated by a La Liga team in the Europa League.
Team News
Celta Vigo comes into the match with a largely fit squad. The only injury concern is Pablo Duran Fernandez, who is doubtful due to a knee issue. Williot Swedberg was essential in their playoff victory, scoring two of the three goals against PAOK.
Lyon, meanwhile, faces multiple injury problems. Afonso Moreira and Pavel Sulc are dealing with hamstring strains, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles has adductor pain. Malick Fofana, Ruben Kluivert, and Ernest Nuamah are also sidelined due to various injuries.
Projected Lineups
| Celta Vigo | Lyon |
|---|---|
| Radu | Greif |
| Rodriguez | Mata |
| Starfelt | Niakhate |
| Alonso | Hateboer |
| Carreira | Tagliafico |
| Vecino | Tessmann |
| Aspas | Nartey |
| Moriba | Abner |
| Rueda | Karabec |
| Iglesias | Tolisso |
| Swedberg | Yaremchuk |
In summary, this match promises to be a strategic encounter. Both teams are known for their disciplined defenses, suggesting a tightly contested opening leg. A scoreless draw could be a likely outcome as Celta Vigo and Lyon gauge each other’s strengths.
