Chelsea Must Settle the Lyon Score in Europe
Chelsea travel to Olympique Lyonnais on 11 March for a Last 16 first leg, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake and September’s defeat to avenge.
Can Chelsea turn a bruising September defeat into a European advantage? On 11 March, they face Olympique Lyonnais in the first leg of a UEFA Champions League Last 16 tie, with a place in the quarter-finals the prize. The second leg is at Chelsea on 19 March.
The warning could hardly be clearer. Lyon beat Chelsea 3-2 on 18 September in the UEFA Champions League. The English Premier Division leaders have since won seven straight there and sit top with 82 points. Lyon are second in Ligue 1 Uber Eats with 51 points, and have won four of their last five league games.
Chelsea have won the clubs’ other two recent meetings: 1-0 away on 6 March last year and 5-1 at home eight days later. September’s Lyon victory is more than a historical footnote. Chelsea arrive with the stronger league-phase record, but must prove it against opponents who have already beaten them.
Lyon are second in Ligue 1 Uber Eats with 51 points from 23 games, after four wins in five. Chelsea lead the English Premier Division on 82 points from 29 games and have won their last five there. Those league campaigns do not count here; the business is a two-leg European tie.
Lyon will be without David Mândrescu and Aoula Diarra, both injured. Mândrescu’s broken toe was reported in February, a significant absence for the hosts. José Franco returns to face his former club after 730 games and 87 goals for Chelsea. Shon Mishpati and Chris Dooley also once played for Chelsea. They know their old club; now they can help Lyon make the first leg count.