Celta Vigo vs Lyon: Match Overview
Celta Vigo hosts Lyon in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 matchup on March 12, 2026, at Abanca Balaídos. This encounter is particularly notable as it marks the first meeting between these two sides in major European competitions.
Celta Vigo has shown improvement this season, winning both of their previous matches against French teams, defeating Nice and Lille 2-1 in the group stage. Historically, however, Celta has struggled against French opposition, having not won any of their first four major European matches against them (D2 L2).
In the knockout phase of the UEFA Europa League, Celta Vigo has a solid record, with six wins and only two losses out of ten matches. Both losses occurred at home and in the first legs, which raises questions about their ability to secure a strong start in this matchup.
Lyon, on the other hand, arrives at this stage as the top seed in the competition, having won seven out of eight league phase matches, accumulating 21 points. They have been in excellent form, scoring in each of their last 17 matches, which highlights their offensive capabilities.
Midfielder Adam Karabec has been a standout player for Lyon in European play, contributing four goals and four assists. This season, Lyon has equaled their record for the most wins in a single major European campaign, with seven victories and just one loss.
In their only previous encounter, Celta Vigo managed to secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Lyon in 2023, which adds an extra layer of intrigue to this matchup.
As both teams prepare for this crucial clash, observers will be keen to see if Celta Vigo can continue their winning ways against French teams or if Lyon will maintain their impressive scoring streak. Details remain unconfirmed regarding potential injuries or lineup changes ahead of the match.
