As Lyon prepares to host Celta Vigo at Groupama Stadium on March 19, 2026, the stakes are high in this UEFA Europa League knockout stage match. Lyon boasts a strong historical performance against Spanish teams at home, having lost only two of their last 14 encounters (W7 D5). Furthermore, they have never lost when hosting Spanish teams in knockout matches, with a record of three wins and three draws.

Celta Vigo, on the other hand, comes into this match with a mixed record. They are unbeaten in their three games against French sides in this season’s UEFA Europa League, including a win against Nice and Lille, and a draw with Lyon. However, their history in France is concerning, as they have lost both away games played against French teams in European competitions.

In terms of current form, Lyon is struggling, having gone six matches without a win across all competitions. Their recent performances have raised concerns, especially as they face injury issues with players like Pavel Sulc and Afonso Moreira sidelined. Their potential starting lineup includes Greif, Mata, Niakhate, Kango, Tagliafico, Morton, Tolisso, Tessmann, Vinicius, Endrick, and Yaremchuk.

Celta Vigo, coached by Claudio Giraldez, is looking to reach their fifth quarter-final in a major European competition, the first since the 2016-17 season. Their recent form shows two wins, two draws, and one defeat in their last five matches. However, they will be without key player Borja Iglesias due to suspension following a red card in the first leg.

As the match approaches, Lyon’s home advantage is significant, having won their last four home matches in the UEFA Europa League. The team will aim to leverage this strength against a Celta Vigo side that has shown resilience but will need to overcome their historical struggles in France.

The first leg ended with a score of 1-2, putting Lyon in a challenging position to advance. The outcome of this match is crucial for both teams, as it could define their European campaigns moving forward. Celta Vigo’s ambition to return to the quarter-finals and Lyon’s need to break their winless streak add layers of intensity to this encounter.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the final lineups and any last-minute injuries. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the teams finalize their strategies for this pivotal match.

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Celta Vigo will host Lyon in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 matchup on March 12, 2026, at Abanca Balaídos. This match is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first time these two teams have faced each other in major European competitions.

Celta Vigo has shown resilience in the tournament, winning both of their matches against French sides this season, defeating Nice and Lille 2-1. Historically, however, Celta has struggled against French teams, having not won any of their first four major European matches against them (D2 L2).

On the other hand, Lyon enters this matchup with a strong record, having won seven of their eight league phase matches, finishing first with 21 points. This season, they have equaled their most wins in a single major European campaign, with seven victories and only one loss in the UEFA Europa League.

Celta Vigo’s performance in the knockout stages has been commendable, with six wins out of ten matches (W6 D2 L2), although they have lost both of their home first-leg matches in the past. They reached this stage by defeating PAOK in the playoff round, showcasing their determination to advance further.

Midfielder Adam Karabec has been a standout player for Lyon, contributing significantly with four goals and four assists in European play. Lyon has also demonstrated consistent scoring ability, finding the net in each of their last 17 matches.