Olympique Lyonnais field an unprecedented eleven against Anderlecht

After getting past the Champions League qualifying round and resuming Ligue 1, Olympique Lyonnais is heading this Wednesday evening to Belgium with a largely reshuffled eleven to face Anderlecht in the Europa League, the kickoff scheduled for 9 p.m. in Brussels.

Expected changes in the eleven

According to L’Équipe, the first‑choice goalkeeper Greif should give up his place to his backup Descamps. The defence will also be reshaped, with Niakhaté as the sole centre‑back in the lineup. This decision shows the club's desire to start from a different base.

Kluivert, Mata and Ouedraogo could start up front, providing creativity on the flanks. Their presence adds to the new defensive setup.

In the midfield, the trio Tesmann, Morton and Nartey should take the reins, allowing captain Tolisso to rest. This setup aims to energise ball recovery.

Up front, the summer signing Nakamura could be lined up alongside striker Openda and youngster Boudache, who will have the chance to showcase his technical quality. This new‑look attack promises to diversify offensive options.

The expected lineup for Lyon reads as follows: Descamps – Kluivert, Mata, Niakhaté (capt.), Ouedraogo – Tesmann, Morton, Nartey – Boudache, Openda, Nakamura. This unprecedented eleven reflects the multiple adjustments made since the last match in Lyon.

This contrast between success in the Champions League and the squad reset highlights Olympique Lyonnais' ability to adapt quickly to the demands of the Europa League. Supporters are waiting to see whether these changes will bear fruit in Brussels.