In the 2016–17 season, Dirar started the season well providing two assists to help the club defeat Fenerbahçe to send them through to the next round of the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds. In the next match, against Guingamp in the 2016–17 Ligue 1 opener, he was awarded the captaincy following the absence of incumbent Radamel Falcao; he recorded an assist in the 2–2 draw. He went on to captain two more matches, including against Villarreal, which ensured progression to the group stage after defeating the Spaniards 3–1 on aggregate. He suffered a calf injury during a Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur, which kept him sidelined for six weeks.