Olympiacos Defeat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 to Strengthen Champions League Playoff Push

Key Takeaways:

• Olympiacos secured a 2-0 victory at home against Bayer Leverkusen
• Costinha netted in the 2nd minute, with Mehdi Taremi doubling the advantage in first-half stoppage time
• Olympiacos recorded their second consecutive win, moving to eight points and maintaining their chances of reaching the top 24

Match Analysis

Olympiacos bolstered their aspirations of advancing to the next phase of the Champions League after claiming a 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen at home during the seventh round of the competition. The Greek side struck early, with Costinha heading in from a corner just two minutes after the opening whistle.

Despite conceding, Bayer Leverkusen responded assertively, controlling possession and manufacturing several notable chances. Nevertheless, they struggled to convert these opportunities, encountering both resilient defending and an inability to finish in front of goal.

The hosts capitalised further when, in the dying moments of the first half, Mehdi Taremi found the back of the net with a precise finish, capping off a rapid break to hand Olympiacos a crucial second goal before the interval.

Μία μεγάλη ευρωπαϊκή βραδιά! Μία μεγάλη ευρωπαϊκή νίκη!
A great European night! A great European victory! #OlympiacosFC #OLYB04 #UCL pic.twitter.com/v24FKDlb04

— Olympiacos FC (@olympiacosfc) January 20, 2026

Second-Half Developments

Following the restart, the contest witnessed a discernible drop in intensity. Although Bayer Leverkusen continued to search for a breakthrough, their efforts proved fruitless as Olympiacos managed the match effectively, closing out proceedings without conceding.

As the minutes ticked by, the German side’s prospects diminished, and the final score remained in favour of the hosts, much to the delight of the supporters in Piraeus.

Champions League Standings Impact

This result not only marked Olympiacos’ second successive Champions League win, but also propelled them to eight points. They continue to contend for a place among the top 24, which would earn them a berth in the competition’s playoff phase.

Bayer Leverkusen, despite occupying a position three places above Olympiacos in the table, now sit only a single point clear of their Greek counterparts, leaving the standings finely poised as the tournament progresses.