Cyprus Times

El Kaabi Returns as Olympiacos Focuses on Leverkusen Clash

Published January 17, 2026, 08:11
El Kaabi Returns as Olympiacos Focuses on Leverkusen Clash

Olympiacos Piraeus is fully focused on their upcoming match against Bayer Leverkusen at Karaiskakis Stadium, for the penultimate matchday of the Champions League League Phase. The defeat to PAOK in the Greek Cup has been a setback, with coach Jose Luis Mendilibar taking responsibility and making observations to his players. A victory over Leverkusen is crucial to maintain the team's mathematical chances of reaching the Top-24 of the competition. Mendilibar has asked his players to be very careful in managing the days leading up to the match, given the postponement of the game against Asteras Tripoli. A significant boost for Olympiacos is the availability of Ayoub El Kaabi, who will return to Greece on Monday from the Africa Cup of Nations and is expected to be at the coach's disposal, even if from the bench.