Leverkusen 0-0 Olympiakos: Key Stats from the Champions League Draw

In a UEFA Champions League Knockout Play-offs encounter that left fans on the edge of their seats but ultimately wanting for goals, Bayer Leverkusen and Olympiakos FC played out a tense 0-0 draw at the BayArena. The highly anticipated second leg of their tie, held on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026, saw both teams battle fiercely, with the result adding a fascinating new chapter to the Bayer Leverkusen vs Olympiakos head-to-head history. While the scoreboard remained untouched, a deep dive into the underlying statistics reveals a match rich in tactical nuance, defensive solidity, and a surprising tale of missed opportunities.

The Evolving Leverkusen Olympiakos Head-to-Head Narrative

Prior to this goalless stalemate, the Leverkusen Olympiakos head-to-head record was perfectly balanced. In their previous two competitive meetings, each club had secured a victory, with neither match ending in a draw. Bayer Leverkusen had scored 2 goals across these encounters, mirroring Olympiakos Piraeus's tally of 2 goals. Interestingly, both of these earlier clashes, which saw Leverkusen win once and Olympiakos win once, were played at Olympiakos's home ground, Karaiskakis Stadium.

This 0-0 draw at the BayArena marks the first time these two teams have shared the spoils, and significantly, the first time they've met on German soil. It introduces a new dimension to their rivalry, suggesting an increasing parity or perhaps a more cautious approach in high-stakes Champions League knockout football. The previous fixture in this very tie had seen Leverkusen secure a crucial 2-0 away victory just days before, making the home leg's goalless outcome all the more intriguing. This result ensures that the leverkusen olympiakos head-to-head record now stands at 1 win for Leverkusen, 1 win for Olympiakos, and 1 draw, with the aggregate scoreline becoming increasingly tight as they head towards a decisive third encounter.

A Standoff at BayArena: Analyzing the 0-0 Draw

The atmosphere at the BayArena was electric, with 30,210 spectators witnessing a game where defensive resolve often overshadowed attacking flair. Despite the lack of goals, the match was far from dull, filled with strategic battles across the pitch. The draw leaves the tie delicately poised, with Leverkusen unable to extend their aggregate lead from the first leg, and Olympiakos demonstrating their capability to hold a formidable opponent away from home.

A Deep Dive into Match Statistics: What the Numbers Reveal

The statistical breakdown offers a comprehensive look at how the game unfolded, highlighting key areas where each team excelled or fell short.

Possession and Passing: A Midfield Tug-of-War

Possession: Olympiakos edged Leverkusen with 53.3% to 46.7%.
Accurate Passes: Olympiakos completed 436 passes compared to Leverkusen's 388.
Passing Accuracy: Both teams showed good composure, with Olympiakos slightly higher at 82.6% against Leverkusen's 81.7%.

Olympiakos's slight advantage in possession and passing metrics suggests a deliberate strategy to control the tempo of the game and perhaps frustrate Leverkusen's usual free-flowing style. However, raw possession doesn't always translate to cutting edge opportunities, as evidenced by other attacking stats.

Attacking Output: Leverkusen's Frustration, Olympiakos's Resilience

Total Shots: Both teams registered 7 shots apiece.
Shots on Target: An identical 1 shot on target for each side, leading to 1 goalkeeper save for both.
Big Chances Missed: Leverkusen missed a significant 3 big chances, while Olympiakos missed none.
Hit Woodwork: Leverkusen hit the woodwork once, adding to their attacking woes.
Touches in Opposition Box: Olympiakos had more touches in the opposition box (19) than Leverkusen (11).
Corners: Olympiakos earned 5 corners to Leverkusen's 4.

These attacking statistics paint a clear picture: Leverkusen, despite playing at home, struggled immensely with clinical finishing. Missing three 'big chances' and hitting the woodwork indicates that they created genuine opportunities but failed to convert them. Olympiakos, while generating fewer clear-cut chances themselves, were defensively sound and didn't squander the rare glimpses of goal they had. The higher touches in the opposition box and more corners for Olympiakos also suggest they were more successful in advancing into dangerous areas, even if they couldn't convert these into shots on target.

Defensive Prowess: An Impenetrable Wall

Attempted Tackles: Leverkusen led with 15 attempts, successfully winning 10 (66.7% success rate). Olympiakos attempted 7, winning 4 (57.1% success rate).
Interceptions: Olympiakos made an impressive 18 interceptions, significantly higher than Leverkusen's 8.
Clearances: Leverkusen made a remarkable 42 clearances, compared to Olympiakos's 10.
Blocks: Leverkusen registered 3 blocks, while Olympiakos had none.

The defensive stats highlight both teams' commitment to keeping a clean sheet. Leverkusen's high number of tackles and clearances indicates they were actively breaking up Olympiakos's attacks and clearing their lines effectively, often under pressure. Olympiakos's superior interception count, however, suggests a highly organized defensive structure that read Leverkusen's passing lanes exceptionally well, disrupting their build-up play before it could become too dangerous. This tactical discipline was key to their away clean sheet.

Duels and Discipline: A Physical Contest

Duels Won: Leverkusen won more duels (41 vs 27), with a higher success rate (60.3% vs 39.7%).
Aerial Duels Won: Leverkusen also dominated aerial duels (13 vs 8).
Attempted Dribbles: Olympiakos attempted more dribbles (17 vs 8), but Leverkusen had a higher success rate (62.5% vs 35.3%).
Fouls Conceded: Leverkusen conceded 6 fouls, Olympiakos 8.
Yellow Cards: Olympiakos received the only yellow card of the match.

Leverkusen's superiority in duels, both ground and aerial, points to their physical presence and ability to win back possession in contested situations. Olympiakos's higher number of attempted dribbles suggests they tried to use individual skill to bypass Leverkusen's sturdy defense, though with mixed success. The disciplined nature of the match, with only one yellow card issued, speaks volumes about the professional approach taken by both sides in such a crucial fixture.

Strategic Implications and Future Outlook

The 0-0 draw leaves the Champions League Knockout Play-off tie finely balanced. For Leverkusen, the inability to capitalize on home advantage and extend their aggregate lead will be a source of frustration. Their prolific attack, which missed three big chances, will need to find its clinical edge in the crucial return leg. For Olympiakos, this result is a significant achievement; holding a strong opponent like Leverkusen to a draw away from home provides immense confidence and tactical validation for their defensive setup.

The next match will be a true test of nerve and strategy. Leverkusen will likely need to adopt a more aggressive, yet measured, approach to break down Olympiakos's resilient defense, perhaps focusing on varying their attacking patterns. Olympiakos, on the other hand, will aim to maintain their defensive solidity while looking for opportunities to exploit any spaces Leverkusen might leave when pushing forward. This result further tightens the overall Leverkusen vs Olympiakos head-to-head narrative, setting the stage for an epic conclusion.

Practical Tip for Teams in Similar Situations: When a strong attacking team fails to score at home despite creating chances, it's crucial to review not just finishing technique, but also the quality of service into the box, decision-making in the final third, and the effectiveness of offensive set-pieces. For the defending team, maintaining concentration and physical intensity for the full 90 minutes will be paramount in the return leg.

Beyond the Scoreline: Form and Momentum

Leverkusen entered this match on mixed form, including a 0-1 away loss in the Bundesliga just three days prior, but also a convincing 2-0 win against Olympiakos in the first leg of this tie. Olympiakos also had a varied recent run, securing a 2-0 domestic win but also suffering that previous home loss to Leverkusen. This 0-0 draw, therefore, offers a slight psychological boost to Olympiakos, demonstrating their ability to adapt and perform on the big stage, while Leverkusen will be determined to shake off the home stalemate and reassert their dominance.

In conclusion, while the scoreline of Leverkusen 0-0 Olympiakos might suggest a dull affair, the statistics tell a story of intense tactical battles, strong defensive performances, and Leverkusen's frustrating attacking profligacy. This Champions League Knockout Play-off remains wide open, adding another thrilling chapter to the competitive Leverkusen Olympiakos head-to-head rivalry. The stage is now set for a dramatic decider, where every pass, tackle, and shot will carry immense weight as both teams vie for a spot in the next round.