Don’t miss the match between Toulouse and Lyon on beIN SPORTS.

Lyon starts Ligue 1 campaign in the middle of season-defining week of soccer

After four campaigns finishing out of Ligue 1's top four, Lyon finally climbed back into the elite of French football last season despite a late stumble in the final matches. That relative success has put the club on the brink of a campaign to celebrate after some difficult years.

Lyon Chasing a Place in the Champions League

Lyon is just one match away from qualifying for the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League group stages. The French side is in the middle of a two-legged playoff game against Fenerbahce but has a slight advantage ahead of Wednesday's home match with the scores tied at 1-1. Should Lyon prevail than that would be a huge boost to both the club and coach, Paulo Fonseca.

For that reason, next week's massive match might well have an influence in the team's Ligue 1 season-opener at Toulouse on Saturday against a team that had a midtable finish last season and has seen an exodus of talent over the summer transfer window.

Fonseca's biggest decision will be whether to rest striker, Loïs Openda, who has returned to Ligue 1 on a loan spell from Juventus. The Belgian forward was the scorer of Lyon's goal in the first playoff match against Fenerbahce.

A Major Test for Lyon's Squad

The Toulouse match is set to be a test of strength for Lyon's squad, which could have a very busy season to come if the week goes well.

Don’t miss the match between Toulouse and Lyon on beIN SPORTS.

Saturday August 22nd
2:35PM ET / 11:35AM PT
Toulouse vs. Lyon - Live on beIN SPORTS

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