French side Lyon failed to reach the Champions League main draw, losing to Turkey's Fenerbahçe on aggregate in the fourth qualifying round. The return leg in Lyon ended 1:2 in the visitors' favour, and Czech forward Matěj Šulc, still working his way back from a knee injury, only came on in the 75th minute — too late to rescue his side.
The Turkish club, who had eliminated Prague's Sparta in the previous round, dominated from the start. Slovenian-born goalkeeper Grbić made a crucial save, and one shot struck the crossbar and post. But within five minutes, Kosovan striker Mrikaj and English defender Brown put the visitors 2:0 up by the 28th minute.
After the break, Belgium's Fofana pulled one back with a spectacular volley, but Lyon couldn't find the equalizer — a goal from his compatriot Opanda was chalked off twice for offside after VAR review. Having drawn 1:1 in the first leg in Istanbul, Fenerbahçe advanced to the Champions League for the first time since 2009, finally getting through qualifying on their tenth attempt. They'll be joined by fellow Turkish side Galatasaray, who reached the main draw directly as league champions.
Slovakia's Slovan Bratislava booked their Champions League place in extra time away at Slovenia's Celje. Following a 1:1 draw in the first leg, the Slovaks took the lead as early as the 18th minute through forward Šporar, recently back from injury, who outwitted the home goalkeeper with a clever chip. But before half-time, Sešlar converted a penalty to send the tie into extra time.
The decisive goal came from Panamanian striker Martínez in extra time — his first for Slovan. For the club's new coach, former Ivory Coast international Jaroslav Turek — wait — Jadran Turek
Source: sport.cz