The next trip of Olympique Lyonnais to Auxerre will be a crucial test in the race for a European qualification. While the AJ Auxerre, galvanized by a series of good results and a comfortable advance over the area of relegation validated by his coach, tackles this encounter without particular pressure, OL is facing an intense period with four games determining its continental future. Paulo Fonseca’s team, faced with double confrontation with Manchester United and perilous travels to Auxerre and Saint-Étienne, will have to navigate with caution, especially since the match against the promo Bourguignon, located between the encounters against the Red Devils, presents considerable traps.

The confidence shown by the players of Auxerre, victorious of Rennes on the last day, is palpable, allowing them to approach this encounter with serenity and an already favorable perspective on their retention in League 1. The Burgundy team, led by Sinaly Diomande, demonstrated its ability to compete with the best teams, having even failed the Lyons during the round-trip game. This positive dynamic, combined with a strong defence that has conceded a single goal in the last four games, represents a major challenge for Paulo Fonseca’s team-mates, who must avoid a repetition of this result to maintain their hopes of qualifying in the Champions League.

However, Olympique Lyonnais presented himself to this match weakened by the fatigue accumulated in the European match against Manchester United and faced significant absences. The serious injury of the young attacker Ernest Nuamah, who will take him away from the field for the rest of the season, and Malick Fofana’s still painful knee, which is expected to return only for the return match against Manchester, seriously weaken the Lyon squad. Despite a significant victory over the LOSC, Paulo Fonseca players will have to overcome these difficulties and be vigilant to hope to preserve their European qualification.