Olympiacos and Bayer Leverkusen will meet again in the UEFA Champions League play-offs, with the first leg scheduled for Wednesday at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis in Piraeus, Greece. This marks the second encounter between the two teams this season, following Olympiacos’ 2-0 victory over Leverkusen on January 20, 2026, during the league phase.
Olympiacos, currently 18th in the league phase table, secured their position with three consecutive wins, a late surge that gives them a chance to reach the Champions League round of 16 for only the fourth time this century. Their recent form includes a 2-0 win against Leverkusen, but also a draw against Levadiakos and Panathinaikos, and a win against Asteras Tripolis.
Bayer Leverkusen finished one point ahead of Olympiacos in the league phase standings, also experiencing a positive finish to their campaign with three wins in their final five games, including a 3-0 victory over Villarreal. However, their away record against Greek sides is poor, having won only one of their five matches (4-1 versus Panathinaikos in 1993) and failing to win in their last four visits since the turn of the millennium.
Robert Andrich of Bayer Leverkusen emphasized the importance of managing the atmosphere at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis, stating, “We’re now familiar with the atmosphere, which can be an advantage.” He acknowledged the challenges of the previous match, noting that Leverkusen had opportunities they failed to capitalize on, contributing to the 2-0 defeat. Andrich believes that a strong start and effective play can “dampen the atmosphere” and improve their chances of a positive result.
Leverkusen’s historical performance in the Champions League knockout stages has been underwhelming, with the second-worst win percentage (11%) among teams with 10 or more matches played, securing only two wins in 19 games. Despite this record, Leverkusen has remained unbeaten in their last six games since the January loss to Olympiacos, with five wins and one draw.
The match will be officiated by Portuguese referee João Pinheiro, with Tiago Martins serving as the VAR. Kick-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT / 12 p.m. GMT.
