Olympiacos’ route to Champions League group phase

AGONAsport analyses the route to the group stage of the 2020/2021 UEFA Champions League for Olympiacos.

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Olympiacos are aiming to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League for the second consecutive year. As champions of Greece, the Erythrolefki will join the 2020/2021 Champions League in the third qualifying round, with Pedro Martins’ troops ready to prove their worth on the continental stage again and reach the coveted group phase of Europe’s premier club competition. Last year, Olympiacos progressed through three qualifying rounds in the Champions League to make the group stage.

Let’s take a look at Olympiacos’ third qualifying round and playoff scenarios:

UCL THIRD QUALIFYING ROUND SEEDINGS

SEEDED*

Olympiacos (43,000)

Celtic (34,000)**

Dinamo Zagreb (33,500)***

Astana (29,000)**

Slavia Prague (27,500)

UNSEEDED*

Red Star Belgrade (22,750)**

Qarabag (21,000)**

Legia Warsaw (17,000)**

Maccabi Tel Aviv (16,500)**

Molde (15,000)**

“Ludogorets (26,000) and the Swiss champions will also be included. Their respective seedings will be decided when the champion of Switzerland is confirmed

**Teams which will begin their Champions League journey in the first qualifying round

***Teams which will begin their Champions League journey in the second qualifying round

It must, of course, be noted that other domestic champions are also in contention to become possible opponents for Olympiacos if they manage to progress past the first two qualifying rounds. Cypriot champions Omonia will be among the unseeded teams if they win their two ties in the first and second qualification phases of the competition.

At the moment, the conversation concerning Olympiacos’ possible Champions League opponents is somewhat hypothetical, but it’s a given that the Erythrolefki will be the favourites against any team. Nevertheless, considering that the tie will be decided in only one game, nothing can be taken for granted. A draw will determine the host club.

Olympiacos and Slavia Prague are the two champions joining the tournament in the third qualifying round.

In the event that Olympiacos lose in the Champions League third qualifying round, they will then compete in the qualification playoffs of the Europa League.

UCL PLAYOFF QUALIFICATION SEEDINGS

SEEDED*

Ajax (69,500)

Salzburg (53,500)

Olympiacos (43,000)**

UNSEEDED*

Dinamo Zagreb (33,500)***

Astana (29,000)****

Slavia Prague (27,500)**

*Depending on which club wins the Swiss Super League, either Celtic or the champions of Switzerland will be seeded

**Must progress through the third qualifying round

***Must progress through the second and third qualifying rounds

****Must progress through the first, second and third qualifying rounds

Importantly, the draw for the Champions League playoffs will take place on September 1, so Olympiacos will know their possible opponents in this phase of the competition before they participate in the third qualifying round. Olympiacos’ possible opponents depend fully on the results of the first, second and third qualification rounds of the tournament.

It’s important to note that two-legged ties will decide the outcome of the playoffs.

Ajax and Salzburg are the two champions joining the Champions League in the qualification playoffs.

In the event that Olympiacos lose in the Champions League playoffs, they will then compete in the group stages of the Europa League.

ALTERNATIVE SCENARIO

There is, however, a realistic scenario which would mean that Olympiacos join the Champions League in the playoffs instead of the third qualifying round.

Olympiacos will begin their European campaign in the Champions League playoffs if either Olympique Lyonnais or Napoli qualify for the quarter-finals of the 2019/2020 competition. This season, both Lyon and Napoli failed to make the Champions League through their domestic leagues, consequently meaning that Olympiacos and Slavia Prague will be automatically be included in the playoff draw if one of the two mentioned clubs advance to the quarter-finals of the 2019/2020 Champions League. In the first leg of their Last 16 ties, Lyon defeated Juventus 1-0 in France, while Napoli drew 1-1 at home against Barcelona. The second legs will be played in August.

That scenario would also mean that Ajax and Salzburg will be guaranteed a spot in the Champions League group stage.

Furthermore, if Olympiacos manage to win the 2019/2020 UEFA Europa League, they will qualify for the 2020/2021 Champions League group phase - as a top seeded team - at the same time. Olympiacos’ Last 16 battle against Wolverhampton Wanderers is level at 1-1 following the first leg in Piraeus. 

UCL QUALIFYING SCHEDULE

08/08/2020–11/08/2020 Preliminary round

18/08/2020–19/08/2020 First qualifying round

25/08/2020–26/08/2020 Second qualifying round

15/09/2020–16/09/2020 Third qualifying round

22/09/2020–30/09/2020 Playoffs

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