Bayer Leverkusen Reach Champions League Last 16 After Goalless Draw With Olympiacos

Bayer Leverkusen reached the Champions League last 16 after a 0–0 draw with Olympiacos, securing a 2–0 aggregate victory.

Olympiacos’ first effort was ambitious, as Chiquinho curled a strike from a central position outside the box, but the shot drifted just wide of the target.

It was a relatively subdued first half, though Bayer Leverkusen carved out two early openings through Grimaldo, who twice came close to teeing up Patrik Schick. A well-worked corner routine ended with a header drifting wide, and moments later the Czech striker’s delicate chip was denied by Konstantinos Tzolakis.

The Greek side nearly created a clear opening when Dani García dispossessed Aleix García high up the pitch, and the ball broke to Gelson Martins in a promising area, but the Portuguese forward failed to control it.

Gelson Martins continued to trouble Leverkusen early in the second half. Five minutes after the restart, he fired a shot under pressure from inside the right side of the box, but Janis Blaswich reacted sharply to keep it out.

Past the hour mark, Spanish wing-back Grimaldo came closest to breaking the deadlock and sealing the tie. After intricate interplay with André Luiz on the edge of the area, Grimaldo found space and unleashed a powerful strike that rattled the crossbar, narrowly missing what would have been a spectacular goal.

Both sides ended the match with six shots each, with two on target apiece. Olympiacos held 54% possession compared to Leverkusen’s 46%, underlining how balanced the contest was.

On another day, the Greek side might have taken more from the tie had they been more clinical in the final third. However, with goals in just one of their last five matches, they once again highlighted their struggles in front of goal.

Die Werkself now turn their attention to the last 16 draw, where they are set to face either domestic rivals Bayern Munich or Arsenal. A heavyweight tie awaits, with both potential opponents posing a significant test as Leverkusen look to continue their European run.