Lyon will welcome Ludogorets Razgrad to the Groupama Stadium on the final matchday of the league phase in the Europa League on Thursday just days after sacking their manager Pierre Sage.
After a poor start to 2025, controversial owner John Textor pulled the trigger on the manager amid a chaotic time at the club, who still face a potential demotion in the summer.
Match preview
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On Tuesday morning, news broke that after just over a year in charge, Sage had been relieved of his duties as Lyon manager, with Paulo Fonseca the instant frontrunner to take over.
In extremely trying circumstances, with so many negative headlines off the field, Sage had done well, and still leaves Lyon with the club in the hunt for Champions League football, and in a strong position to reach the last 16 of the Europa League.
However, after a matchday six win over Eintracht Frankfurt, form quickly deserted Sage, with his Lyon side winning just two matches since against bottom-of-the-table Montpellier, and fourth-tier outfit Feignies-Aulnoye.
None of their last five matches have ended in victory, and that includes draws with bottom-half sides Toulouse and Nantes, as well as the embarrassing Coupe de France exit to fifth-tier Bourgoin Jallieu.
The decision to sack Sage was a brave one, with two hugely important games coming up, as this clash with Ludogorets will dictate whether they need to go through the playoffs and play two extra matches, before heading to Marseille at the weekend.
Lyon do bring excellent home on the continent into this one, losing just one of their last 15 at the Groupama Stadium in the Europa League - winning 11.
The hosts have also conceded just eight goals across those 15 matches, but three did come in their last two games, against Frankfurt and Besiktas, who inflicted that solitary defeat.
After battling to a fine 0-0 draw away to Fenerbahce last midweek, a draw here should also be enough for Lyon to advance directly to the last 16, but they will be fully expecting a win against one of the weakest sides in the league phase.
This is the first time Lyon will face a club from Bulgaria in Europe - the 32nd different nation they have come up against, but Ludogorets do have previous experience in France, earning a 2-2 draw away to Paris Saint-Germain in the group stage of the Champions League back in 2016.
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The Bulgarian champions have fallen some distance since then though, having already been condemned to elimination in the Europa League this season with a game to spare.
Despite already being out, Ludogorets could still frustrate Lyon here, and three of their last four away games on the continent have ended 0-0.
That has also contributed to them being the lowest scorers in the Europa League this season, with just three goals from seven games, and they are one of only three teams still yet to win, along with Nice and Dynamo Kyiv.
A 2-0 defeat at home to Midtjylland means Igor Jovicevic's side are still in danger of finishing 36th, and they have had very little match practice in the build up to these two final fixtures, as their domestic season was halted for the winter break over a month ago.
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Team News
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With Said Benrahma believed to be on his way to Saudi Arabia, and Malick Fofana doubtful with a hip problem, Lyon could be short of options in wide areas for this one.
Therefore, Rayan Cherki is almost guaranteed to start, and only Dries Mertens has more assists (five) and chances created (36) than the Lyon man (four and 25) in the Europa League this season.
Thiago Almada made his debut for the club at the weekend following his move from Botafogo, coming on as a second-half substitute, but he will not be registered to play in the Europa League until the knockout stage.
Ludogorets will be able to call upon Pedro Naressi again after he missed the defeat on matchday seven through suspension, but Kwadwo Duah, Bernard Tekpetey and Aslak Fonn Witry are set to remain out.
Emerson Rodrigues joined the club for £1m from Inter Miami last week, but he will not play European football until next season, as he is unregistered, with that transfer being funded from the sale of Rick to Talleres earlier this month.
Lyon possible starting lineup:
Lucas Perri; Kumbedi, Clinton Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Tolisso, Matic, Veretout; Cherki, Lacazette, Mikautadze
Ludogorets Razgrad possible starting lineup:
Bonmann; Son, Verdon, Dinis Almeida, Nedyalkov; Camara, Piotrowski, Chochev; Erick Marcus, Rwan Seco, Caio Vidal
We say: Lyon 2-0 Ludogorets Razgrad
Despite more drama in the week with the sacking of Sage, even that should not do much to derail Lyon's hopes of finishing in the top eight, and they have been handed a very favourable final fixture.
With the Super Cup against Botev Plovdiv coming up on Tuesday, it is fair to assume that most of the focus will be on that for already-eliminated Ludogorets, but they will still want to put in a good showing against a European giant like Lyon.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Andrew Delaney
