Lyon confronts Haaland's cousin as Sparta Prague await

In the Champions League third qualifying round, Sparta Prague-OL Lyon will meet on Tuesday evening, with the Czech side fielding Jonatan Braut Brunes, the cousin of Erling Haaland. The match is scheduled for Tuesday night and the report, marked HaalandAujourd'hui at 12:05, highlights the family connection.

Jonatan Braut Brunes completed a transfer to Sparta Prague for more than €6 million from Polish club Raków, a record expenditure for the Czech club. The fee underscores Sparta’s ambition ahead of the tie against Lyon.

The 1.88 m Norwegian forward arrived after a prolific season, scoring 26 goals in 49 appearances. His career path mirrors his cousin’s early steps, having played for Bryne in Norway before moving to several clubs in his home country.

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"His ability to score in different ways, combined with his versatility, makes him an attacker who can be effective in various tactical systems and against different types of opponents," explained Sparta Prague sporting director Tomáš Rosický. He added that Brunes can find spaces between the lines and contribute to the team’s build‑up with his football intelligence.

Le Havre had previously examined his profile before he ultimately signed for Louvain in Belgium. Brunes also comes from a footballing family: his sister Emma is a defender at Brøndby, and another cousin has played at the professional level.

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The 25‑year‑old is expected to start for Sparta Prague after netting on his debut for the club. His inclusion adds a personal storyline to the Lyon‑Sparta Prague encounter in the Ligue des champions.

Both clubs will aim to progress to the next round, with Lyon seeking to overcome the challenge posed by a forward linked to one of the world’s top strikers. The match will test Lyon’s defensive organization and their ability to neutralise Brunes’s threat.