After falling narrowly to Sparta Prague 2-1 in the first leg last week, Lyon face a must-win scenario under new manager Paulo Fonseca. The French side must secure a two-goal margin to avoid extra time or a heartbreaking early exit. UEFA has turned to experience by appointing Marciniak, a referee with a stellar track record in high-stakes fixtures. At 45, the Polish official arrives at Décines with the gravitas of having handled the 2022 World Cup final and countless elite European matches.

Lyon’s mixed history with Marciniak

The appointment will stir memories among supporters, as this marks his fifth officiating assignment involving Lyon. While his latest appearance brings back the painful 5-1 thrashing at Camp Nou in 2019, he also oversaw Lyon’s 3-1 Europa League victory over Ajax Amsterdam in 2017 – a result that ultimately proved insufficient for progression. His other encounters with the club ended in narrow defeats: 1-0 to Juventus in 2016 and 2-1 against Viktoria Plzeň in 2014.