Champions League 2025-2026: Bayer Leverkusen-Olympiacos, the likely lineups

Bayer Leverkusen goes into the return leg of the Champions League playoff against Olympiacos with an important advantage, the 2-0 win in Greece, but also with the knowledge that a wrong approach at the BayArena could make Tuesday night’s match very dangerous. The challenge puts a place in the round of 16 at stake, where Bayern Munich or Arsenal will be.

Kasper Hjulmand&#8217s Leverkusen arrives at the match with some doubts from the point of view of concentration, given Saturday&#8217s unexpected defeat on the field of Union Berlin. The Danish coach will also be unable to count on goalkeeper Flekken, replaced by Blaswich, and defender Bade: the back pack will consist of Quansah, Andrich and Tapsoba. Up front, Schick will be the offensive reference, supported by Maza and Poku, while Vazquez and Grimaldo will have to provide width and push on the flanks.

Olympiacos arrives in Germany with an obligation to win by at least two goals to take the challenge to extra time. Mendilibar’s team will take the field with an offensive scheme that will see Martins, Taremi and Podence act behind bomber El Kaabi. In midfield will be Mouzakitis and Hezze while in defense Retsos and Biancone will try to have their say. For Italy’s Lorenzo Pirola possible start from the bench.

Probable lineups

BAYER LEVERKUSEN (3-4-3): Blaswich; Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba; Vazquez, Palacios, Garcia, Grimaldo; Maza, Poku; Schick. All. Hjulmand.

OLYMPIACOS (4-2-3-1): Tzolakis; Costinha, Retsos, Biancone, Ortega; Hezze, Mouzakitis; Martins, Taremi, Podence; El Kaabi. All. Mendilibar.