FCSB Hosts Lyon in Tense Europa League Round of 16 Clash

Bucharest, Romania — FCSB will host Lyon on March 6, 2025, in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie. The Romanian club is seeking to capitalize on home advantage against the experienced French side, which they have yet to beat in competitive play.

FCSB reached this stage after successfully navigating a playoff against PAOK, securing a 2-1 win in the away leg followed by a solid 2-0 home victory. Despite finishing just one point behind Lyon in their league phase, FCSB’s aggregate record was not enough to guarantee a top-eight spot.

“We’re looking to make a statement at home,” FCSB manager said during a pre-match press conference. “Facing Lyon is a tough challenge, but we believe in our squad’s ability to compete at this level.”

Lyon, under new management since the conclusion of the league phase, finished sixth in Ligue 1, having won four, drawn three, and lost just one of their eight league matches. Their recent form also includes a 2-1 victory against Brest, although the match was marred by a controversial incident involving the referee.

New head coach Pedro Fonseca has made an immediate impact, winning three of his first five matches in charge. “This is a big opportunity for us in Europe. We’ve done well in our last outings, and we want to continue that momentum,” Fonseca stated.

FCSB currently sits atop the Romanian league following two recent matches, including a derby win over Dinamo Bucharest. They remain unbeaten in their last eight matches across all competitions, with most recent loss against Manchester United in January.

On the injury front, FCSB will be without several key players. Their forward will miss the match due to unavailability from previous squad selections. Meanwhile, Lyon’s defensive depth is tested too, with Brazilian defender ruled out due to injury, though another crucial player is back from suspension.

The anticipated starting lineups include FCSB’s Tarnovanu, Cretu, and Radunovic against Lyon’s Perri, Kumbedi, and Matic. Both teams recognize the importance of the first leg, with Lyon hunting to maintain their unbeaten streak in away matches in the Europa League that dates back to December 2017.

Lyon has historically fared well against Romanian teams in European competitions, notably eliminating Juventus in the 2019-20 season and securing a narrow win in the 2021-22 Europa League. Conversely, FCSB has been unable to claim victory in past encounters.

The match kicks off at 5:45 PM local time in Bucharest, and noteworthy match analyses suggest a tight contest, with predictions leaning towards a draw or a narrow victory for Lyon based on their away form. As the first leg unfolds, both clubs will aim to set the stage for an intense return leg next week.