Celta Vigo – Lyon: Selection test as Thursday night tie arrives
celta vigo – lyon presents an immediate selection headache for Lyon after Ainsley Maitland-Niles was ruled out for a couple of weeks. Head coach Paulo Fonseca must decide whether to hand a professional debut to Steeve Kango at right-back or rejig the midfield and full-back balance for the Europa League trip on Thursday night.
What to expect: Celta Vigo – Lyon tactical and selection choices
With Ainsley Maitland-Niles unavailable, the right-back position is the focus of Fonseca’s selection choices. There are few options listed in the squad for that role and Hans Hateboer is not included in Lyon’s Europa League squad, narrowing choices further. One option on the table is to move Tanner Tessmann deeper in midfield and push Clinton Mata out wide; the alternative is to hand Steeve Kango his first professional start at right-back. The balance Fonseca chooses will determine whether Lyon preserve a traditional back four or adjust the midfield shape to cover the right flank.
Predicted XI and availability
Despite inconsistent recent form up front, Endrick is expected to lead the line alongside Roman Yaremchuk. Several attacking options remain sidelined and unavailable for selection. The players listed as sidelined are Pavel Sulc, Malick Fofana, Ernest Nuamah, Ruben Kluivert, and Afonso Moreira. Ainsley Maitland-Niles will miss a couple of weeks, which creates the immediate opening at right-back.
- Likely starting eleven listed: Dominik Greif; Nicolas Tagliafico, Moussa Niakhaté, Clinton Mata, Steeve Kango; Abner, Tyler Morton, Noah Nartey; Corentin Tolisso; Endrick, Roman Yaremchuk.
- Unavailable: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (out for a couple of weeks); Pavel Sulc; Malick Fofana; Ernest Nuamah; Ruben Kluivert; Afonso Moreira (all sidelined).
- Squad constraints: Hans Hateboer not included in the Europa League squad, limiting experienced options at right-back.
What it means for Lyon in the tie
The immediate implication for Lyon is a test of adaptability on the right flank and in midfield structure. If Steeve Kango is handed a debut at right-back, the defensive unit will need to integrate a new presence in a demanding away fixture. If Fonseca opts to alter the shape and use Tanner Tessmann deeper while pushing Clinton Mata wider, midfield dynamics and covering responsibilities will shift. Either route keeps Endrick and Roman Yaremchuk as the attacking focal points for the match.
Selection clarity will arrive with Fonseca’s matchday choices, but the constraints are clear: limited right-back options, several sidelined attacking players, and a likely starting pairing up front. Ahead of celta vigo – lyon, Lyon must balance introducing youth and covering immediate gaps in a knock-out setting.
