Lyon are set to welcome Celta Vigo to the Groupama Stadium on Thursday night for the second leg of their last-16 tie in the Europa League, seeking a place in the quarter-finals for the second consecutive season. The first leg ended dramatically, as Lyon snatched a late equaliser to secure a draw on Spanish soil, leaving the tie balanced. Celta Vigo must now regroup after letting a lead slip on home soil.
Lyon’s Form and European Pedigree
Paulo Fonseca’s men controlled large periods of the first leg, dominating possession and creating better chances, but were left frustrated by their lack of cutting edge in the final third. Despite Lyon’s territorial dominance, it was Celta Vigo who struck first against the run of play, with Javi Rueda breaking the deadlock midway through the first half.
The game took a decisive turn in the second half when Iglesias was sent off for an elbow on Clinton Mata, reducing Celta to 10 men and shifting momentum in Lyon’s favour. Despite the numerical advantage, Lyon had to wait until the closing stages to capitalise, with Endrick striking from distance, as Ionut Radu failed to deal with the effort.
That late leveller could prove decisive, not only in the tie but also for Endrick’s confidence, as the Brazilian ended a four-game goal drought in dramatic fashion. Lyon’s recent European pedigree also offers encouragement, having reached the quarter-finals in two of their last appearances in the competition.
While Lyon enjoyed an impressive 13-match winning run between December and February, their recent form has dipped significantly, with no wins in their last six matches across all competitions. Three draws and three defeats in that period, including a Coupe de France exit on penalties to Lens, underline the pressure on Fonseca’s side to deliver in Europe.
Celta Vigo Aim to Regroup
Celta Vigo, meanwhile, will be left to reflect on a missed opportunity after failing to hold onto their advantage in the first leg. To their credit, Celta remained compact and disciplined, frustrating Lyon for large spells, with Radu producing several important saves to keep them in front.
Claudio Giraldez’s side are competing in Europe for the first time since the 2016-17 campaign, when they suffered a narrow aggregate defeat to Manchester United in the semi-finals. Despite their inexperience at this stage in recent years, Celta have shown encouraging form, recording two wins, two draws and one defeat in their last five matches across all competitions.
Injury Concerns for Lyon
Lyon are facing multiple injury issues, which may be contributing to their poor form. Pavel Sulc, who has been a key contributor with 14 goals this season, remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. Afonso Moreira is also unavailable due to a s
Celta Vigo form (all competitions):
- Two wins
- Two draws
- One defeat
The contest remains finely poised ahead of the second leg.