Following a narrow 2-1 defeat in Prague last week, Olympique Lyonnais face a daunting task: secure a two-goal victory to avoid the agony of extra time—or worse, an early exit. European football’s governing body has opted for experience, selecting Szymon Marciniak, 45, for the pivotal fixture. The Polish whistleblower brings a wealth of high-profile experience, having officiated the 2022 FIFA World Cup final and countless elite continental clashes.

Mixed memories for Lyon

The appointment will stir contrasting emotions among Lyon supporters, marking Marciniak’s fifth appearance in a match involving the club. While his most recent outing ended in a painful 5-1 thrashing at Camp Nou in 2019, he also presided over a crucial 3-1 victory over Ajax Amsterdam in the 2017 Europa League—albeit one that fell short of securing qualification. Earlier encounters included narrow defeats to Juventus (0-1, 2016) and Viktoria Plzen (2-1, 2014).