Olympiacos F.C. vs Real Madrid

Olympiacos return to Piraeus still searching for their first Champions League win of the season, having returned to the UEFA Champions League proper for the first time since 2020/21. While their overall league-phase form has been disappointing – only two wins in their last 24 group matches – their home resilience has quietly improved. They are unbeaten in their last nine home European fixtures (W5 D4), including a 1–1 draw with PSV Eindhoven on Matchday 4. They will be looking to build on top of that despite the odds of picking up an outright victory against Real Madrid. These sides share a reasonably rich history, with eight prior meetings. However, Olympiacos have managed just one victory – a memorable 2–1 win back in December 2005 – while Madrid have claimed four wins. Yet the Greek club have always been stubborn opponents at home: their record in Piraeus against Madrid stands at W1 D3, including a goalless draw in their last meeting on Greek soil in 2007/08. Despite struggling in recent years against Spanish opponents – losing nine of their last 13 – Olympiacos’ home record against La Liga sides remains impressive. They have been beaten only twice in 16 matches at home against Spanish teams, a reminder that the Karaiskakis Stadium is one of the more intimidating European venues when it comes alive. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Ayoub El Kaabi in attack is expected against Real Madrid.

The Whites arrive in Greece looking to respond after suffering their first defeat of the 2025/26 league phase on Matchday 4. That 1–0 loss at Liverpool halted their six-game winning run in the league phase. Bouncing back to winning ways remains the objective for Xabi Alonso’s side. However, Real Madrid’s own record in Greece is surprisingly poor. They are winless in nine matches in the country (D3 L6), the longest wait for a victory in any foreign nation. This run even includes the 1971 Cup Winners’ Cup final, when they failed twice to beat Chelsea. Madrid may be giants of the competition, entering their 30th Champions League campaign, but Greece has consistently been a difficult place for them to impose their dominance. Nevertheless, Xabi Alonso’s team still carry immense attacking threat and have scored in 63 consecutive league-phase fixtures, a streak stretching back almost a decade and one they would be keen to extend. A 4—1—4—1 formation with Mbappe in attack is expected against Olympiacos.