Leverkusen Vs Olympiacos: Leverkusen Hold 2–0 Lead Ahead of BayArena Return
The Champions League knockout playoff between Bayer Leverkusen and Olympiacos resumes with leverkusen vs olympiacos at the BayArena, kick‑off 3 p. m. ET, and Leverkusen carrying a 2–0 lead from the first leg.
Leverkusen’s cushion built on Schick brace
Leverkusen’s two‑goal advantage came in Athens when Patrik Schick scored twice in the second half, a brace that put Kasper Hjulmand’s side in a “commanding position” to reach the last 16 for a second straight season. Schick’s goals were the decisive moments of the first leg and remain the primary reason Die Werkself travel to the BayArena with a clean sheet advantage.
Leverkusen Vs Olympiacos at the BayArena
The return leg will be played at the BayArena with kick‑off listed at 3 p. m. ET (9 p. m. local). With a two‑goal margin to protect, Leverkusen must manage the match tempo and game plan that saw Schick net twice four minutes apart in the first meeting.
Olympiacos created chances but lacked finishing
Olympiacos generated more activity in the final third in the first leg but managed only a single shot on target, leaving the Greeks unable to convert their openings. Their efficiency in attack proved key in previous meetings, yet that clinical edge was missing when it mattered most, leaving them needing a dramatic turnaround to advance from the two‑leg tie.
Injuries shape Leverkusen’s selection
Injury absences will affect Leverkusen’s lineup: Loïc Badé picked up a problem in the weekend defeat at Union Berlin and is set for a month‑long absence, while Malik Tillman sustained an ankle issue that leaves his status in doubt. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken is also unavailable, and attackers Nathan Tella and Eliesse Ben Seghir are out for the hosts. If the USMNT player mentioned is not fit, veteran Jonas Hofmann is a possible starter alongside Patrik Schick and Ernest Poku.
Leverkusen arrive in Germany off a 1–0 loss at Union Berlin, while Olympiacos built momentum with a 2–0 victory over Panetolikos in the Greek Super League at the weekend. Those recent results add context to the return leg: Leverkusen must shore up after the domestic defeat, and Olympiacos aim to translate domestic form into European revival.
What’s on the line and what comes next
The winner of the two‑legged playoff advances to the Round of 16; Leverkusen currently sit 2–0 up and need to defend that advantage at the BayArena. The match is scheduled for 3 p. m. ET, and the outcome of this return leg will decide which club continues in the Champions League knockout phase.
