Barcelona v Olympiacos – Line-ups, stats and preview

Match Preview for Barcelona v Olympiacos

Barcelona will likely be hoping to safe their second victory of the Champions League league part once they host Olympiacos on Tuesday night.

The Catalan facet presently sit sixteenth within the league part standings after a slim opening win over Newcastle was adopted by a 2-1 defeat to reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain.

That loss was compounded by a 4-1 thrashing away to Sevilla earlier than the worldwide break, leaving Hansi Flick’s males underneath strain to reply.

Saturday’s Catalan derby appeared to be heading for one more disappointing end result after Axel Witsel cancelled out Pedri’s early strike, however substitute Ronald Araujo got here to the rescue with a dramatic 93rd-minute winner to seal a 2-1 win over Girona.

Whereas Flick will undoubtedly have one eye on the upcoming El Clasico, focus first turns to Olympiacos – opponents Barcelona haven’t confronted for the reason that 2017-18 group stage.

Encouragingly for the hosts, they’ve by no means misplaced at dwelling to Greek opposition in European competitors, together with a 3-1 victory over Olympiacos in October 2017.

Flick himself additionally boasts a 100% file in opposition to the Greek champions, having guided Bayern Munich to a 2-0 dwelling win within the 2019-20 group stage – the yr his facet went on to elevate the Champions League trophy.

For Olympiacos, this marks their first look within the Champions League’s principal part since 2020-21, earned after reclaiming the Greek Tremendous League title final season.

Supervisor Jose Luis Mendilibar, who famously led the membership to Europa Convention League glory in 2023-24, started this marketing campaign with a goalless draw in opposition to Pafos however adopted it up with a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on the Emirates.

Workforce information for Barcelona v Olympiacos

Barcelona proceed to take care of a prolonged damage listing. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gavi, Dani Olmo, and Joan Garcia all stay sidelined. Robert Lewandowski is about for round a month out after sustaining a hamstring problem on worldwide obligation, whereas Raphinha continues to be uncertain after lacking 4 video games.

Ferran Torres faces a late health take a look at as he battles the same problem, although Flick might keep away from taking dangers with key gamers forward of El Clasico. Fermin Lopez is pushing for a begin after impressing off the bench in opposition to Girona, and Ronald Araujo or Gerard Martín may each return to the backline.