Will Vinicius Júnior play today? Confirmed line-up for Real Madrid x Olympiacos in the Champions League today By Luís Henrique Costa
4 min read
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Real Madrid faces Olympiacos this Wednesday, November 26, 2025, in the fifth round of the UEFA Liga Campeões league phase, at Estádio Georgios Karaiskakis, at Pireu, Grécia. Vinícius Júnior is confirmed in the starting lineup after being a substitute in Brasileirão’s last game, integrating the attack alongside Kylian Mbappé. The match starts at 5pm at Brasília time, with live broadcast on TNT Sports and HBO Max for the Brazilian public.
Referee Michael Oliver whistles the match, which marks the Brazilian’s return to the starting eleven under the command of Xabi Alonso. Olympiacos is looking for its first victory in the competition, while Real Madrid, in seventh place with nine points, aims to add three more to advance to the round of 16. Defensive Desfalques affects the Spanish, but the attack gains strength with Vinícius.
The broadcast covers the game in high definition, with streaming options for mobile devices. No Greek local time, kick-off takes place at 8pm, in line with the UEFA European calendar.
Return of Vinícius Júnior to the merengue attack
Vinícius Júnior replaces Rodrygo, who had a discreet performance in the draw against Elche. The Brazilian has two goals in Champions and brings speed to counterattacks.
Alonso opts for tactical adjustments, with Camavinga and Valverde returning to midfield to balance the team. Essa change aims to exploit Olympiacos’s weaknesses in high marking.
Recent performance and motivation
Olympiacos unbeaten in six games overall, with draws in Champions against PSV and defeats to Arsenal and Barcelona. The Greek team has two points and needs to win at home.
Real Madrid won three of their four European matches but lost to Liverpool in the last. Vinícius, with recent assists, raises the offensive level.
- Three wins in four games in the league stage.
- Nine points accumulated, seventh position.
- One goal conceded on average per away match.
Coach Mendilibar is betting on the home fans to put pressure on the visitors from the start.
Lineups confirmed on the field
Olympiacos adopts 4-2-3-1 with Tzolakis in goal, Rodinei, Retsos, Pirola and Ortega in defense. No middle, Mouzakitis and Dani García anchor, with Gelson Martins, Chiquinho and Podence supporting El Kaabi in front.
Real Madrid responds in 4-3-1-2, with Lunin protecting the arc. Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Carreras and Mendy form the defensive line, while Camavinga, Valverde and Tchouaméni control the center. Arda Güler floats behind Vinícius Jr. and Mbappé.
- Olympiacos: Ausência of Paschalakis in reserve goal due to a calf injury.
- Real Madrid: Tchouaméni returns to the improvised defense, but without Courtois, Militão, Rüdiger, Alaba, Carvajal and
Coaches Mendilibar and Xabi Alonso adjust formations to exploit weaknesses. Mbappé, with 95 technique, stands out against Taremi of Olympiacos.
Tactical strategies for the duel
Olympiacos’s intense pressure aims to recover balls in attack, with El Kaabi as a reference. The Greek team averages more than 10 shots per game at home in Champions.
Real Madrid prioritizes fast transitions, exploiting speeds of Vinícius and Mbappé. The weakened defense depends on Lunin for crucial saves, as in the match against Liverpool.
Players in focus and statistics
Ayoub El Kaabi leads Olympiacos in goals in domestic leagues, contributing in aerial duels. No Real, Mbappé records 90 in technique and 71 in tactics, with the potential to decide.
- Average cards: 0.14 for Olympiacos and 3.48 for Real Madrid per game.
- Average ball possession: 52% for the Greeks at home.
- Shots on goal: Real Madrid with 14 per game in the league phase.
The confrontation promises balance, with odds favoring the visitors at 1.57 for victory.
Streaming and access options
Brazilian fans access the game on TNT Sports on closed TV, with a high definition signal. HBO Max streaming offers viewing on multiple devices, including mobile.
In Greek local time, the kickoff sounds at 8pm, coinciding with peak European viewership. Plataformas like the UEFA app provides real-time updates.
Expectations in the Champions table
This match directly influences the positions in the league stage, where the top eight advance directly to the round of 16. Olympiacos needs points to enter the playoff, between 9th and 24th.
Real Madrid, with nine points, is aiming for the top spot for a direct spot. Uma visiting victory adds 12 points, strengthening the campaign.
