Missed spaces and long balls: Maza breaks down Leverkusen defeat

Here are Ibrahim Maza’s thoughts after Leverkusen’s 2-0 loss against Olympiacos in the Champions League.

Bayer Leverkusen suffered a disappointing 2–0 defeat against Olympiacos, struggling to impose their usual style of play away from home. After the match, young midfielder Ibrahim Maza offered insight into the tactical problems Leverkusen faced and stressed the need for a clear improvement ahead of their next European fixture against Villarreal.

Leverkusen went into the match with a clear plan, but according to Ibrahim Maza, they were unable to execute it consistently against a disciplined Olympiacos side.

“We often wanted to make a lot of runs in behind, because in the analysis those spaces were frequently available and free against Olympiacos,” Maza explained. However, turning that plan into real danger proved difficult over the course of the game.

One of Leverkusen’s main problems was progressing the ball through central areas. “We didn’t always manage to get through the middle well and then had to resort to long balls,” Maza said. “But that meant they regained possession quicker, and then we couldn’t play our game.”

With Olympiacos able to win second balls and disrupt Leverkusen’s rhythm, the German side struggled to build sustained pressure and ultimately fell to a deserved defeat.

Looking ahead, Maza was clear that Leverkusen must raise their level in their next match. “Next week against Villarreal, we have to act better and with more security,” he stated. “Of course, we want to win.”

Leverkusen will now look to respond quickly, knowing that a more controlled and composed performance will be required if they are to get back on track in Europe.