Champions League: OL to face Sparta Prague in third qualifying round | OneFootball

OL will face Sparta Prague in the Champions League third qualifying round, with the first leg on four or five August in the Czech Republic and the return on 11 August at Groupama Stadium.

According to Le Progres, Monday’s draw at UEFA headquarters in Nyon set up the tie.

OL lost 2-0 to Slavia Prague in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, offering an early look at the Czech game and its intensity. This will be the fourth meeting with Sparta, and OL have always advanced, with five wins and one draw.

Sparta’s squad includes former Lyon player Adam Karabec, who spent last season on loan at Lyon but was not retained.

The third qualifying round is only the first step. If Paulo Fonseca’s side progress, they must contest a two-legged play-off on 18-19 and 25-26 August. Across 13 seasons with this format, only Monaco in 2016 and Lille in 2024 have made it through, while OL experienced it in 2013, losing to Real Sociedad of Griezmann.

The league phase will feature 36 teams, with 29 direct entrants and 7 from qualifying. The first of eight matchdays is set for 8-10 September, with the last on 27 January.

Source: Le Progres