Barcelona Set to Face Olympiacos in Key Champions League Clash

BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona will host Olympiacos on Tuesday, October 21, at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium as they seek to bounce back in the UEFA Champions League. Coached by Hansi Flick, Barcelona won their first match against Newcastle but faced back-to-back defeats against PSG and Sevilla. The team turned things around with a 2-1 win against Girona last weekend, thanks to a last-minute goal from Ronald Araujo.

Barcelona’s expected lineup includes Wojciech Szczesny in goal, supported by defenders Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, and Gerard Martin. The midfield features Pedri and Frenkie De Jong, while Marcus Rashford leads the attack alongside Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, and Alex Balde.

In contrast, Olympiacos, coached by Giorgos Donis, comes to Barcelona seeking their first European win of the season after a draw and a loss in their previous group matches. The Greek squad plans to utilize their potent striker Ayoub El Kaabi, who has been prolific since joining in 2023, along with Daniel Podence and Gelson Martins.

Despite their recent struggles, analysts consider Barcelona one of the top contenders for the Champions League title. Their last home defeat against PSG has created a sense of urgency within the squad, leading to heightened expectations for a decisive home victory against Olympiacos.

Kickoff for the match is set for 12:45 p.m. ET, and fans can catch the action live on various streaming platforms. Both teams aim for not only three points but also valuable momentum heading into the latter stages of the tournament.