Real Madrid are set to face Olympiacos in Athens tonight, but their quest for a crucial Champions League victory is being tested by a mounting injury crisis and a determined opponent riding a wave of domestic form.
Injury Woes Mount for Los Blancos
Madrid arrive in Piraeus with a severely depleted squad, missing several key defenders.
Thibaut Courtois, Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba, Dean Huijsen, Dani Carvajal, and Eder Militão are all sidelined, leaving manager
Xabi Alonso with just
Raúl Asencio as his only natural center-back option. The situation is so dire that
Álvaro Carreras has been deployed in central defense, while
Ferland Mendy makes his first start of the season at left-back.
Midfielder
Jude Bellingham is also on the bench, given a rest after a busy schedule, while
Vinicius Jr. returns to the starting lineup after being benched in the previous league match.
Kylian Mbappé continues his run as the main striker, aiming to end a rare three-game goal drought.
Olympiacos: Unbeaten at Home, Confident and Dangerous
Olympiacos, meanwhile, are in fine form. They are unbeaten in six games across all competitions, winning five and drawing one. In the Champions League, they remain unbeaten at home in the group stage, with two draws, and are currently top of the Greek Super League after winning nine of their first 11 matches.
Their Moroccan striker
Ayoub Kaabi has been in scintillating form, scoring 10 goals in 17 appearances this season (nine in the league, one in Europe). However, Olympiacos have struggled away from home in Europe, losing both of their road games to Arsenal and Barcelona, and have only scored two goals in four Champions League matches so far.
Tactical Challenges and Team News
With so many defensive absences, Alonso has had to get creative. The confirmed starting XI sees
Andriy Lunin in goal, with
Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back,
Asencio and
Carreras in central defense, and
Mendy at left-back. The midfield trio is
Valverde, Camavinga, and Tchouaméni, with
Arda Güler on the right wing. Up front,
Mbappé and
Vinicius Jr. lead the attack.
Olympiacos, under manager
José Luis Mendilibar, will look to exploit Madrid’s defensive vulnerabilities, especially on the flanks. Their recent 1-1 draw with PSV Eindhoven at home shows they can hold their own against top European sides, but their lack of goals in Europe remains a concern.
What’s at Stake?
A win for Real Madrid would put them in a strong position to finish in the top eight of the Champions League group stage, while a loss or draw could see them slip down the table. For Olympiacos, a victory would be a major boost to their European campaign and a statement of intent.
How to Watch
The match kicks off at
9:00 PM CET (8:00 PM GMT, 3:00 PM ET). In the United States, it will be broadcast live on
Paramount+, while in Britain and Ireland, fans can catch the action on
TNT Sports with streaming available via
Discovery+.
Key Quotes
-
Xabi Alonso: “It’s an important match for the table and we have to play well.”
-
Álvaro Carreras: “We go to every stadium hungry to win and showing character.”
Final Thoughts
Real Madrid’s trip to Athens is a true test of depth and resilience. With injuries piling up and Olympiacos in confident form, the outcome could hinge on which team adapts best to the challenges. Madrid’s attacking firepower is undeniable, but their defensive fragility could be their Achilles’ heel. All eyes will be on how Alonso’s makeshift backline copes with the threat of Kaabi and Olympiacos’ home advantage.
Sources
1. Olympiacos-Real Madrid: Whites out for victory in Athens
2. Olympiacos vs Real Madrid LIVE: Latest updates, predicted ...
3. Olympiacos vs Real Madrid: Confirmed Starting Lineup ...
4. Real Madrid starting line-up to face Olympiacos
5. Why is Courtois not playing today for Real Madrid vs ...
6. Olympiacos Real Madrid, formazioni ufficiali e risultato ...
7. Olympiakos vs Real Madrid, 2025 Champions League
8. Real Madrid's defensive woes increase for Olympiacos trip
9. Olympiacos Piraeus v Real Madrid (26/11/2025)
10. Olympiacos vs Real Madrid | UEFA Champions League ...
