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Europa League Preview: Lyon look for semifinal spot
Olympique Lyonnais will head to Old Trafford tomorrow evening hoping to keep the Ligue 1 McDonald's flag flying in the UEFA Europa League in the second leg of their quarterfinal tie against Manchester United. After a late goal from Rayan Cherki, it's all to play for following a two-all draw -- read on for our preview.
"My suspension has united the dressing room"
Those were the words of Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca in the pre-match press conference, and there may be something to the Portuguese manager's thinking. Since his receiving a lengthy ban following his behavior in a win over Stade Brestois last month, his side have won six of eight matches in all competitions, scoring 22 goals over that span. With vital wins over European rivals LOSC Lille and OGC Nice, they've also climbed the table to fourth place, and Opta gives Les Gones a 42% chance of reaching the Champions League via their league finish.
While their remaining fixtures are largely favorable in that regard, Fonseca and his players would like to continue what has been a strong run in Europe. To do that, the visitors will likely need another strong display from Rayan Cherki, who has been one of the continent's form players in 2025, and has even impressed veterans like World Cup winning midfielder Corentin Tolisso. Said Tolisso of Cherki's play of late, "He is doing things that are all over social media, but he's also performing better statistically. He scores, he provides assists. I hope we will see his quality even more after the match."
Rayan Cherki's last 13 games = ⚽️6⃣, 🅰️🔟#UEL pic.twitter.com/BUgyV0d89i
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) April 15, 2025
Tough choices for Amorim
Much was made before the match about comments from Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matic about the level of United 'keeper André Onana, but the Cameroonian unfortunately lived up to his former teammate's words by erring on both of Lyon's goals last Thursday. He was then dropped for his side's most recent Premier League match, a 4-1 loss to Newcastle United that saw them slip to a lowly fourteenth.
Amorim was vociferous in defending Onana pre-match, speaking of his experience with Inter Milan, but the Red Devils boss will also have to manage the absence of Joshua Zirkzee in attack. The Dutchman will be replaced by Rasmus Højlund in attack, but the two operate in radically different ways, and will leave the hosts with fewer options to stretch Lyon's rearguard.
Predicted lineups:
Manchester United (3-4-3): Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Mazraoui; Dalot, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu; Garnacho, Højlund, Fernandes
Olympique Lyonnais (4-2-3-1): Perri; Maitland-Niles, Mata, Niakhaté, Tagliáfico; Matic, Veretout (or Tessmann); Cherki, Tolisso, Almada; Mikautadze
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