Hoffenheim vs. Lyon: UEFA Europa League live blog and preview

Hoffenheim are looking for their first points of the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League as they host Lyon for Matchday 3 on Thursday (kick-off: 9pm CEST).

Hoffenheim are back in European competition after a season away, but their Europa League return hasn’t gone to plan. After starting with a 2-0 loss at OFI Crete, Christian Ilzer’s men then went down 3-2 at home to Beşiktaş last week to sit 30th in the table as one of nine teams yet to get a point on the board after two games.

Lyon finished fourth in France last season to earn a place in UEFA Champions League qualifying but lost 3-2 on aggregate to Fenerbahçe in the play-off. That meant they entered the Europa League, where Paulo Fonseca’s side have made a perfect start with victories at Anderlecht (2-1) and at home to Crystal Palace (3-2).

Follow the match below!

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Hoffenheim

Thu, 22.10 19:00

Lyon

Europa League
League phase, Matchday 3 League phase, Matchday 3 SNP Arena

Paulo Fonseca on facing Hoffenheim

"Hoffenheim are a very physical and intense team. Their position in the Bundesliga doesn't reflect the quality in the team. They work very hard, are well structured. I'm expecting a very difficult match. We'll have to work very hard to get a good result."

© JOHN THYS

Fisnik Asllani on facing Lyon

"We're playing in a competition that I used to only watch on TV, so I'm excited about every game. I hope we can have a good game, because that increases the chances of getting three points."

© Sona Maleterova

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0:55

Watch: Ilzer wary of Lyon quality

Christian Ilzer on facing Lyon

"Lyon are top of the table in France. We've got respect for a tactically very flexible team, but they also have a lot of physicality. It makes them a difficult opponent. We want to perform as best we can in all three competitions. That hasn't worked out yet in terms of results. We want to build on our strengths."

© IMAGO/Halil Sagirkaya

Morale-boosting win

Reflecting on Hoffenheim's Matchday 6 victory, match-winner Alexander Prass said: "This win is important for our position in the table and for our morale. There was a lot of pressure on us, so this victory is good for all of us. We've shown some good performances in recent weeks."

© IMAGO/HMB Media/Yannis Dreimann

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2:03

Watch: Gladbach 1-2 Hoffenheim - highlights

Strikes from Bambasé Conté and Alexander Prass against Borussia Mönchengladbach secured Hoffenheim their second Bundesliga win of the season.

Hoffenheim: The story so far

Christian Ilzer's charges await their first Europa League win of 2026/27 after the Sinsheim club followed up a 2-0 defeat at OFI Crete with a 3-2 loss against Beşiktaş at the SNP Arena, despite Koki Machida's late consolation goal.

© IMAGO/Julien Becker

Lyon: The story so far

The French outfit followed up a 2-1 Matchday 1 victory against Anderlecht with a 3-2 win over England's Crystal Palace with goals from Corentin Tolisso, Ernest Nuamah and Pavel Sulc securing successive wins.

© IMAGO/Mourad Allili

Welcome!

Follow all the build-up and live action as Hoffenheim host France's Lyon in their third fixture of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase (kick-off: 9pm CEST).

About the clubs

Hoffenheim

SNP Arena