Lyon face Hoffenheim at the Groupama Stadium on Wednesday, Nov. 7. Here’s all the info you need to watch.
The past couple of weeks haven’t been easy for Lyon, to put it mildly. Their troubles began after they conceded an injury-time equalizer to Hoffenheim on the last Champions League match-day. Following the game, ex-Manchester United flop Memphis Depay apparently tore into his team-mates, which by all accounts didn’t go down especially well with the rest of the squad.
Depay was subsequently omitted from the starting 11 for Lyon’s league game against Angers, and the Dutchman decided to sulk during the pre-match warm-up and then complain to the press about the playing time and respect that he’s being afforded. That didn’t do much to increase his popularity within the squad, and Depay’s team-mates were reportedly delighted when coach Bruno Genesio gave him a dressing down during a training session a few days later.
Tensions increased further during Lyon’s abject home performance against Bordeaux on Saturday, when their own fans jeered first Depay and eventually the whole team. Never one to knowingly pour oil on troubled waters, club president Jean-Michel Aulas then publicly criticized star midfielder Tanguy Ndombele’s performance. A loss tonight could well lead to the recriminations becoming even uglier.
Hoffenheim are in a much better place going into this game, coming off the back of an impressive 1-4 away win over Bayern Leverkusen, yet another big scalp for coach Julian Nagelsmann. Teenage forward Reiss Nelson, on loan from Arsenal, continues to grab the headlines with five goals from four league starts. His most recent – an exquisite curler from the edge of the box – was a thing of beauty.
The Champions League match between Lyon and Hoffenheim will be broadcast live on Bleacher Report. Live streaming is available on B/R Live, which you can access with your cable or satellite subscriptions, either online or through the Bleacher Report app.
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 7
Start time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Lyon, France
Stadium: Groupama Stadium
TV Info: Bleacher Report
Live Stream: B/R Live | Fubo.TV. Sign up for a free seven-day trial here
Lyon seem to be in disarray both on and off the pitch, while Hoffenheim need a win if they’re to have any hope of making it to the knock-out stages.