Olympiacos reignited their UEFA Champions League (UCL) ambitions with a famous 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen at the intimidating Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium. The result ended Die Werkself’s 19-game unbeaten run against teams outside Europe’s top five leagues and reopened the qualification race heading into the final matchday.
Fast Start Sets the Tone
Fresh from a narrow 1-0 win over Kairat Almaty that snapped a long UCL drought, Olympiacos came out flying. Inside two minutes, Costinha rose highest to head home a vicious outswinging corner from Rodinei, scoring his first goal in two years and sending the Piraeus crowd into raptures.
Leverkusen responded with pressure, fashioning chances from set pieces and open play, but found Konstantinos Tzolakis in inspired form. The Olympiacos goalkeeper denied Loïc Badé, Lucas Vázquez, and later produced a stunning low save from Alejandro Grimaldo to preserve the early advantage.
Ruthless Counter Before the Break
Just before half-time, Olympiacos struck again. After Panagiotis Retsos cleared his lines, Rodinei surged forward and released Mehdi Taremi, who powered a clinical finish past Janis Blaswich. At 2-0, history beckoned—this was Olympiacos closing in on a first win in 14 meetings with Bundesliga opposition, a run that previously included 12 defeats.
Defensive Steel Seals the Upset
As expected, Leverkusen pushed for a comeback, but Olympiacos’ discipline and work rate shut down momentum. Chiquinho went close with a free-kick, while Retsos was immense at the back, notably halting Grimaldo with a perfectly timed tackle.
Late chances fell to Patrik Schick and Malik Tillman, yet Tzolakis and substitute Giulian Biancone ensured there was no way through. The German side was left frustrated as the clock ticked down on a night dominated by Greek resolve.
What It Means for Qualification
The result leaves both sides vulnerable heading into the league-phase finale. Olympiacos sit 22nd, just one point behind Leverkusen, knowing that avoiding defeat away at Ajax could be enough to secure a top-24 finish—an incredible turnaround after earlier struggles.
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Final Word
Olympiacos delivered one of the standout UCL performances of the season, combining early aggression, ruthless finishing, and heroic defending. With qualification still on the line, the Greek giants have given themselves a real chance—and football fans across Tanzania can expect another dramatic final matchday in Europe’s biggest club competition.
