Patrik Schick Scores Twice To Lead Bayer Leverkusen Past Olympiacos In Champions League Knockout

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Bayer Leverkusen took control of their Champions League play-off tie, beating Olympiacos 2-0 away, with Patrik Schick scoring both goals. The Czechia forward gave Leverkusen a two-goal cushion before the home leg next week. It was also Leverkusen’s first victory away from home in a Champions League knockout match.

Schick made club history during the win. The striker became only the second player to score twice for Leverkusen in a Champions League knockout game, matching Michael Ballack’s brace against Liverpool in the 2001-02 season. Before this result, Leverkusen had not won any of nine away knockout fixtures, drawing two and losing seven.

This performance followed a costly league-phase defeat to Olympiacos last month, when Leverkusen wasted several major chances. Kasper Hjulmand admitted that those missed opportunities were on the mind during the first leg in Greece. "After the three big chances in the first half, I already had dj vu. But we're very satisfied with the result and the performance," said the Leverkusen head coach.

Hjulmand highlighted Schick’s clinical form across recent days and sessions. "Patrik always gets a lot right, he's so sharp with his finishing. Over the last few days, I've seen, even in training, that he was very, very sharp." The head coach’s comments underlined how the forward’s preparation had translated into decisive actions in Piraeus.

Leverkusen’s control without the ball was also a key factor. Olympiacos managed only one shot on target over the 90 minutes, though the hosts had a goal ruled out for offside. With an average age of 28 years and 58 days, Leverkusen fielded the club’s oldest Champions League starting lineup, a sign of experience and stability.

Captain Robert Andrich felt that experience helped manage the game’s difficult spells, especially compared with the earlier meeting. "We have done a much better job of keeping the pressure phases away from us," said Andrich when comparing the first leg to their league-phase performance. "I also think that, overall, we've defended very well. We've also repeatedly tried to play out from the back a bit earlier against the press. That's something we had also discussed beforehand."

Leverkusen’s night also included a lighter moment shared online, as the club account reacted to Schick’s display. The social media post, shared after the final whistle, reflected the sense of control and confidence shown in Greece.

The 2-0 advantage, Schick’s double and a solid defensive record give Leverkusen a clear platform for the return leg in Germany. Hjulmand’s side carry both momentum and a historic away result into next week, while Olympiacos must score at least twice away from home to keep their Champions League hopes alive.