Zenit face Lyon at the Parc Olympique Lyon in first fixture of Group G

The Champions of Russia, Zenit will travel to Lyon to face the French club in the second early kick-off of the Tuesday night Champions League fixtures.

This game is likely to be a good game to watch. Lyon after the summer transfer window has lost players like Ferland Mendy, Tanguy Ndombele and Nabil Fekir but still look in fine form with in-form Memphis Depay and Moussa Dembele.

Zenit are second in the Russian Super League and will try to gain any valuable points against Lyon in a bid to go to through to the round of 16.

Team news

Lyon are likely to be feature midfield maestro Houssem Aouar again after he returned from a groin injury and played against Amiens.

Zenit, meanwhile, will be without former Barcelona winger Malcom, who was an unused sub in both legs against Lyon in the round-of-16 last term and is now sidelined with a hip injury until early October.

Lyon manager Sylvinho spoke about his team being eager to attack this competition and try to have a decent run in this competition.

“We are eager to attack this competition. It’s an extraordinary one. We can’t wait for the game to start. Everyone can qualify from this group so it’s a very important match for us.

“We need to play a good game. We want to do something tomorrow with the help of our fans.

“We’re all focused on Zenit and then we will turn our attention to PSG afterwards. It’s a difficult group because the teams are relatively similar.”

Zenit manager Sergei Semak spoke about Lyon having a well-balanced team that have great potential and are a good side.

“I’m always glad to return to France. As for Lyon, they’ve only played a few matches so far so its too early to talk about this. I think, Lyon will only go up the French table.

“They are a very young team and since last season they have brought in several players, someone for lots of money. There are some experienced players who have done well in recent years. They are a well-balanced team with great potential.”

Head-to-head

The two clubs have faced each other twice in the UEFA Champions League and once in a club friendly. Zenit won both Champions League games and Lyon won the club friendly.

Expected line-ups

Olympique Lyon’s XI – Lopes; Tete, Denayer, Andersen, Dubois; Mendes, Tousart, Aouar; Traore, Dembele, Depay

Zenit’s XI – Lunev; Smolnikov, Ivanovic, Rakitskiy, Santos; Kuzyaev, Barrios, Ozdoev, Zhirkov; Azmoun, Dzyuba