PIRAEUS, GREECE — With both teams desperate for Champions League points, Bayer Leverkusen emerged victorious thanks to Patrik Schick's quickfire double, securing a 2-0 triumph over Olympiacos at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium. The German side's clinical edge made the difference in a contest where the hosts created more chances but lacked the cutting edge to capitalize.
The opening exchanges suggested a tense affair, with Leverkusen controlling 57.8% of possession but struggling to unlock a resolute Olympiacos defense. The hosts, sitting precariously in 33rd place entering the match, showed attacking ambition with Gelson Martins and Daniel Podence probing down the flanks. Konstantinos Tzolakis in the Olympiacos goal was called into action as early as the 16th minute, denying Schick from close range after Ibrahim Maza's clever assist. The Greek keeper proved his worth again in the 28th minute, producing a fine save to tip Maza's effort over the bar following another headed pass from Schick.
The tactical battle intensified after the interval, with Olympiacos pressing higher in search of the breakthrough their home support craved. Gelson Martins tested the Leverkusen backline repeatedly, while Ayoub El Kaabi's physical presence caused problems for Edmond Tapsoba and his defensive partners. Yet for all their territorial advantage, the hosts managed just a solitary shot on target across the entire 90 minutes. Francisco Ortega and Rodinei provided width, but the final ball consistently eluded their attackers.
Leverkusen's patience was rewarded in the 60th minute when they struck with devastating efficiency on the counter-attack. Ernest Poku, who had been a constant threat with his pace, drove forward before sliding a perfectly weighted pass into Schick's path. The Czech international made no mistake, drilling his left-footed shot into the bottom left corner past the helpless Tzolakis. The Olympiacos faithful barely had time to process the setback before Leverkusen doubled their advantage. Just three minutes later, Alejandro Grimaldo's pinpoint cross from a corner found Schick unmarked at the right side of the six-yard box, and his header nestled into the center of the goal.
The statistics told the story of Leverkusen's ruthless efficiency. While Olympiacos peppered the German goal with 13 attempts, only one troubled Janis Blaswich in the Leverkusen net. By contrast, the visitors put 5 of their 8 shots on target, converting two of them with surgical precision. Aleix García and Exequiel Palacios controlled the midfield tempo, completing passes with authority and breaking up Olympiacos attacks before they could develop into genuine threats. The disciplined nature of the contest was reflected in the booking count, with just one yellow card shown to each side.
Manager José Luis Mendilibar rang the changes in search of a lifeline, introducing Chiquinho and André Luiz in the 64th minute, but Leverkusen's defensive structure held firm. Christos Mouzakitis tried to spark something from midfield, while Santiago Hezze battled tirelessly, but the German side's organization never wavered. Lucas Vázquez and Poku continued to stretch the Olympiacos defense on the break, with Schick nearly completing his hat-trick in the 69th minute when his effort sailed just wide.
The closing stages saw Olympiacos throw bodies forward in desperation. Lorenzo Scipioni, introduced late in proceedings, fired narrowly over from the right side of the box in the 88th minute, but it was too little, too late. Leverkusen managed the game professionally, with Grimaldo and Tapsoba snuffing out any hint of danger. The visitors' ability to transition from defense to attack remained a constant threat, forcing Olympiacos to commit numbers forward while leaving themselves vulnerable at the back.
For Olympiacos, this defeat leaves them in a perilous position in the Champions League standings. With just two points from five matches and a goal difference of minus-eight, their hopes of progression are hanging by a thread. The attacking intent was evident throughout, but the lack of quality in the final third proved costly. Mehdi Taremi, making his return to European competition, was starved of service and substituted after an hour as the hosts chased the game.
Leverkusen, meanwhile, can take immense satisfaction from a professional away performance that showcased their quality on the counter-attack. Schick's movement and finishing were exemplary, while the midfield duo of García and Palacios controlled proceedings with maturity beyond their years. The clean sheet, secured by Blaswich's solitary save and a well-drilled defensive unit, provides a platform for confidence heading into their next assignment.
The victory moves Leverkusen to 8 points from five matches, keeping their Champions League knockout stage ambitions very much alive. Their ability to absorb pressure and strike with clinical precision demonstrated the hallmarks of a side comfortable at this level. The German outfit will carry this momentum into their Bundesliga clash with 1. FC Union Berlin on February 21, knowing that their European campaign remains firmly on track.