Bayer Leverkusen Hosts Olympiakos: Champions League Stats and Match History
Bayer Leverkusen is set to host Olympiakos in the UEFA Champions League, continuing a competitive history between the two teams. This matchup will take place at Bayer’s home ground, where they have previously secured a victory against Olympiakos.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Olympiakos: Champions League History
Both teams have faced each other four times in the UEFA Champions League. Each side has won two matches, but Bayer Leverkusen has the edge at home, having won their previous encounter in Germany 2-0 back in October 2002.
Olympiakos’s Struggles in Germany
Historically, Olympiakos has struggled in away matches against German teams. They have recorded only one win in 11 attempts, with a record of one draw and nine losses. In those matches, they have managed to score just five goals while conceding 24.
Knockout Stage Trends
- In major European competitions, Bayer Leverkusen has advanced in 20 of their 22 knockout stage ties after winning the first leg.
- Their only eliminations occurred against Atlético Madrid in the 2014-15 season and Udinese in 1999-00.
- Olympiakos lost the first leg of this tie 0-2 at home and has not lost both legs of a knockout stage tie without scoring since the 2012-13 season.
Recent Performance
Despite the setback in the first leg, Olympiakos enters this match with momentum, having recently won against Kairat and Ajax. They aim to achieve three consecutive away victories in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history, having played 82 away matches in total.
Kasper Hjulmand’s Managerial Impact
Under the management of Kasper Hjulmand, Bayer Leverkusen has seen some positive results. He boasts a win rate of 44.4% in his Champions League matches, the highest among the club’s managers with a minimum of three games.
Key Players to Watch
- Patrik Schick has made a notable impact, scoring four goals in seven Champions League appearances under Hjulmand. His goal ratio stands at one every 107 minutes.
- Aleix García has made 142 line-breaking passes this season, second only to Vitinha, and is leading the league with 76 passes that break through the opposition’s defensive line.
Defensive Statistics
In the current season, Olympiakos has excelled in high-intensity defensive actions, making 3,533 high-intensity pressures and forcing 102 turnovers, which are the highest in the competition this year. They recorded 497 high-intensity pressures in the first leg, trailing only Villarreal, who had 514 against Bayer Leverkusen.
This upcoming match promises to be an intriguing clash as both teams look to assert themselves in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
