FC Barcelona secured a comfortable win over Olympiacos in the Champions League after Hezze's sending off gave them numerical superiority. Fermín López starred with goals and assists in a match marked by poor play from the Blaugrana. The thrashing bought time for Flick's side ahead of the Clásico.
At the Estadi Olímpic in Montjuïc, Barcelona faced Olympiacos in the Champions League group stage on October 21, 2025. Hansi Flick's side, hampered by multiple injuries like Raphinha's, displayed flaccid and unconvincing football, akin to their Liga match against Girona. The turning point came with the sending off of Olympiacos midfielder Hezze, under José Luis Mendilibar, who fielded the same lineup that lost 2-0 to Arsenal.
Fermín López, deployed near the left flank to press relentlessly, opened the scoring with a persistent finish past goalkeeper Tzolakis, making it 1-0. The game remained open and chaotic, with Olympiacos pressing and their 2,700 traveling fans noisier than the home crowd. Moroccan El Kaabi pulled one back via a VAR-awarded penalty for Eric García's handball, scoring the 2-1 after Szczesny saved an initial attempt that was disallowed.
Fermín nearly extended the lead before Lamine Yamal made it 3-1, confirmed by VAR. Numerical superiority after Hezze's second yellow unlocked spaces: Marcus Rashford forced a contentious penalty and netted twice, sealing the win with a strike and a volley from Fermín. The lineup featured Dro as third midfielder instead of De Jong, with center-back pairing Cubarsí-Eric in front of Szczesny.
This therapeutic victory, despite ball losses and lack of harmony, eases Barcelona's doubts following their PSG defeat. The team aims to regain fluidity through injury recovery and form boosts for players like Lamine Yamal ahead of Sunday's Bernabéu clash.