LYON, France – Olympique Lyonnais and the Czech Republic national team are anxiously awaiting test results on forward Pavel Šulc, who sustained a suspected hamstring injury during Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to RC Strasbourg Alsace. The injury casts a shadow over both Lyon’s Ligue 1 campaign and the Czech Republic’s upcoming World Cup playoff against Ireland.
Šulc, 25, was forced to leave the match in the 28th minute after initially receiving treatment in the 12th minute following a collision. Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca confirmed after the game that the injury appears to be a muscular problem in the back of the thigh, but the extent of the damage remains unknown. “I don’t know how serious the injury is. We’ll see tomorrow (Monday) after the tests,” Fonseca told reporters, according to Livesport.cz.
The timing of the injury is particularly concerning for Lyon, who saw their impressive 13-game winning streak across all competitions come to an end with the loss to Strasbourg. The team currently sits third in Ligue 1, five points ahead of fourth-place Marseille, and faces a critical match against their rivals, Olympique de Marseille, next weekend. Šulc’s availability for that contest is now in doubt.
Šulc has been a revelation for Lyon since joining the club from Viktoria Plzeň last summer. He has quickly become a key player, scoring 13 goals and providing seven assists in 31 appearances across all competitions. His contributions have been instrumental in Lyon’s strong league position.
However, the potential loss of Šulc extends beyond the club level. The Czech Republic are preparing for a crucial World Cup playoff against Ireland on March 26th, with a potential final playoff match against either Denmark or North Macedonia to follow. Šulc is expected to be a vital component of Miroslav Koubek’s squad, and his injury is a significant blow to their hopes of qualifying for the tournament. Koubek previously expressed his concern about Šulc’s fitness, stating earlier in February, “I have no doubt that he will maintain his form, but I will pray that he does not gain injured,” as reported by TN.cz.
The injury occurred after Šulc initially went down in the 12th minute following a hard tackle, receiving treatment on the pitch. He briefly returned to the game but was clearly discomforted, eventually being substituted in the 28th minute. Further assessment will be conducted on Monday to determine the severity of the hamstring issue.
This injury adds to a growing list of concerns for national teams ahead of the World Cup playoffs. Just last week, Slovakia’s captain Milan Škriniar suffered an injury, potentially impacting their playoff campaign, as noted in reports from Sport.cz. The stakes are high as nations vie for a coveted spot in the World Cup finals.
Lyon’s defeat to Strasbourg also marked their first loss since December 7, 2025. Even as the end of the winning streak is a setback, the primary concern now is the health of their star forward. The club will be hoping for positive news from Monday’s medical examinations, but the initial signs are not encouraging.
The next 24-48 hours will be critical in determining Šulc’s prognosis and his availability for both Lyon and the Czech Republic. Fans and coaches alike will be anxiously awaiting updates as they assess the impact of this potentially significant injury.
Lyon will provide an official update on Šulc’s condition following the completion of medical tests on Monday. The Czech Republic national team will also be closely monitoring the situation, hoping for a swift recovery for one of their key players.
What are your thoughts on Šulc’s injury? Share your comments below and let us know how you feel this will impact both Lyon and the Czech Republic!
