Champions League Showdown: Barcelona Hosts Olympiakos in Crucial Qualification Battle
On October 21, 2025, Barcelona will host Greek powerhouse Olympiakos at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in a UEFA Champions League Matchday 3 fixture. This game is crucial for both teams in their pursuit of qualification from the new 36-team league phase, with Barcelona aiming to secure vital home points and Olympiakos seeking their first win in the competition.
Match Background & Qualification Scenarios
The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League season features a new 36-team league phase format, where each team plays eight matches to qualify for the knockout rounds. [2, 9] For Barcelona, hosting Olympiakos presents a crucial opportunity to solidify their position and secure advancement. Home advantage is paramount in the Champions League, and Barça will be looking to capitalize on it. Olympiakos, on the other hand, will be aiming to snatch points away from home against a formidable opponent, hoping to improve their start to the league phase, especially as they are still searching for their first victory in this Champions League campaign. [5]
Recent Form
According to pre-match reports, Barcelona had a decent start to their Champions League campaign, securing a 2-1 win against Newcastle but then suffering a 2-1 loss to PSG. [5] Domestically, Barça's recent form has been mixed; they secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Girona, but prior to the international break, they experienced two significant defeats, including a 2-1 loss to PSG and a 4-1 hammering by Sevilla. The team's defense has been a concern, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches and conceding nine goals during that period. [16] In contrast, Olympiakos is still seeking their first win in the Champions League league phase, having drawn one and lost one of their opening two fixtures. [5]
Key Players & Injury News
For Barcelona, on-loan attacker Marcus Rashford has been a key player, making a strong start with three goals and four assists in ten matches across all competitions since joining the club. [5] However, the team is grappling with significant injury concerns, with Joan Garcia, Marc-André ter Stegen, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski all expected to miss the match. Ferran Torres is also doubtful. These absences will undoubtedly pose a challenge for Barcelona's lineup. [16] For Olympiakos, there are currently no explicit reports of major injuries, and the team will rely on its core squad to seek an upset away from home.