Olympique Lyonnais will not receive special treatment as they embark on their European campaign. Still needing to secure full qualification for the prestigious Champions League, OL faces a crucial 3rd preliminary round in early August. Should they advance, a potential play-off stage awaits approximately two weeks later.

These critical play-off fixtures are set to clash directly with the commencement of the Ligue 1 championship, where Paulo Fonseca’s squad is scheduled to face Toulouse. The Lyon management formally approached the LFP via written correspondence, seeking a postponement for their opening Ligue 1 fixture. In their appeal, OL emphasized “the paramount interest of French football” as the basis for their request.

 

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However, the LFP delivered a negative response, declining to reschedule any Ligue 1 match at the start of the season. Consequently, Olympique Lyonnais will be required to manage this demanding schedule, should they successfully navigate the Champions League play-offs.