Kick-off on October 22, 2026, at 19:45.

The third round of the UEFA Europa League league phase will feature OFI Crete vs. Bayer Leverkusen at Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion. Both clubs began the tournament with clean-sheet victories. The home team pulled off a major upset in the opening round by defeating another Bundesliga representative on its own turf. Now, one of the tournament's leading favorites arrives in Heraklion, bringing considerable European experience. The passionate support from the stands and the stubborn defensive setup of the Cretan side pose a serious challenge for the renowned visitors.

Watch OFI Crete vs. Bayer Leverkusen online on MEGOGO on 22.10.2026.

In European competitions on its home turf, OFI Crete plays with maximum commitment. In the first round, the club withstood enormous pressure from Hoffenheim, dealt with 21 shots on its goal, and secured a 2-0 victory. Earlier, during the qualifying rounds, it comfortably crushed CSKA Sofia 3-0 at this venue. The team knows how to defend patiently in its own half, close down central spaces, and launch dangerous counterattacks. To challenge the tournament favorite, the home team needs to maintain a compact defensive shape around its penalty area and defend reliably against crosses from the wings.

Bayer Leverkusen began the league phase with a confident 2-0 home victory over Celje. The Leverkusen club has established itself as a formidable force away from home: in its previous ten away matches in the UEFA Europa League, the team has suffered just one defeat, scoring at least two goals in seven of those games. The visitors dictate the tempo through quick passing combinations and highly mobile forwards. In Heraklion, the German side will have to break down a well-organized, layered defense, making ball movement speed and finishing accuracy crucial to its chances of success.

Watch the UEFA Europa League match OFI Crete vs. Bayer Leverkusen live online on MEGOGO on 22.10.2026.