Welcome to the 17th episode of the 2025-26 season's "Game Center." This article will cover the major world football events from October 21st to 22nd, Pacific Time:

October 21st, 9:45 AM, Champions League: Barcelona vs. Olympiacos

The two teams previously met in the 2017-18 Champions League group stage, with Barcelona winning one and drawing one. Last weekend, Barcelona narrowly defeated Girona 2-1 at home in the league, breaking away from a two-game losing streak; Olympiacos also ended their recent two-game losing streak in the league. For this match, Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García, Marc-André ter Stegen, André Gavi, Ferran Torres, Carlos Olmo, Robert Lewandowski, and Rafinha are all injured. Offensively, the team will rely on Jamar and Marcus Rashford, with the former's poor physical condition putting more pressure on the latter to score. For Olympiacos, Esperto and Rodine are out due to injury, but Kaeibi, Taremi, and Chiquinho all have scoring potential.

October 21, 12:00 PM: Champions League: Arsenal vs. Atletico Madrid

The two teams previously met in the 2017-18 Europa League semi-finals, where Arsenal drew 1-1 and lost 1-2 on aggregate, sending Atletico Madrid to the final. Last weekend, Arsenal defeated Fulham 1-0 away in the league, extending their winning streak to five games, with seven wins and one draw in their last eight games, and leading the Premier League standings. Atletico Madrid defeated Osasuna 1-0 at home in the league, extending their record to four wins and two draws in their last six games, but are winless in five away games this season.

In this match, Arsenal's players, Ødegaard, Madueke, and Havertz, are out due to injury. Saka, Trossard, Martinelli, and Džekeres all have some scoring potential. They don't score many goals, but they always step up in crucial moments. Defenders like Timber and Gabriel are also capable of scoring from set pieces. Atletico Madrid, with injuries to Cardoso, Costis, and González, leaves Alvarez, with seven goals, as the team's main scorer. His performance will determine whether the team can escape unscathed on the road. Griezmann and Giuliano Simeone are also key scorers.

October 21, 12:00 PM Champions League: Leverkusen vs. Paris Saint-Germain

Paris defeated Leverkusen twice in the 2013-14 Champions League quarter-finals. Last weekend, Leverkusen defeated Mainz 4-3 away, bringing their record to four wins and four draws in their last eight games. Paris Saint-Germain drew 3-3 with Strasbourg at home in the league, suffering their second consecutive draw. Leverkusen defenders Kouassa, Vazquez, Schick, Palacios, Trae, and Cobriza are out due to injuries. Schick's injury significantly impacts the team's offense, placing even greater pressure on Kofane, who has scored four goals in ten games. Paris Saint-Germain are injured, along with Dembélé, Marquinhos, Neves, and Ruiz. Key players on both ends of the court are out, leaving Barcora and Gonzalo Ramos, who have scored four goals, as the team's mainstays.

October 21, 12:00 PM Champions League: Villarreal vs. Manchester City

Manchester City defeated Villarreal twice in the 2011-12 Champions League group stage. Villarreal has struggled recently, with two draws and one loss in their past three games, but they are unbeaten in six home games this season with four wins and two draws. Manchester City, after a 2-0 home league victory over Everton, have won six and drawn two of their past eight games, demonstrating excellent form. Villarreal defenders Costa, Cavanés, and Cambwala are injured in this match. If Foyth is unable to play, it will be a huge loss for the defense. Offensively, the team relies heavily on the performances of Buchanan and Mikatadze, who are key to the team's victory. Manchester City, with Husanov, Rodri, and Nouri out due to injuries, relies heavily on Haaland's performance. He has scored 14 goals in 10 games this season and has also found the net in each of his last 11 club and international appearances.

October 22, 12:00 PM Champions League: Bayern Munich vs. Club Brugge

The two teams met in the 2005-06 Champions League group stage, with Bayern Munich winning one and drawing one. Last weekend, Bayern Munich defeated Dortmund 2-1 at home in the league, extending their winning streak to 11 games. Club Brugge has won five of their last seven games. Bayern Munich defenders Hiroki Ito, Davids, Stanisic, Musiala, and Gnabry were absent due to injury. Offensively, they boast Kane, one of Europe's best players, who has scored 19 goals in 11 games this season and has found the net in each of his last nine club and international matches. Furthermore, Oliseh and Dias are both in excellent form, each with six goals. This attacking line can tear apart any defense. Club Brugge also boasts a formidable attack, with Zolis scoring seven goals and providing eight assists, while Vakner and Tresoldi added six and five goals, respectively.

October 22, 12:00 PM Champions League: Chelsea vs. Ajax

The two teams previously met in the 2019-20 Champions League group stage, with Chelsea winning one and drawing one. Last weekend, Chelsea easily defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0 away in the league, extending their winning streak to three. Ajax has struggled recently, with one draw and two losses in their past three games, and no away wins this season. Chelsea defenders Colville, Badiaciele, Enzo, Palmer, and Delap are out due to injuries, and Pedro is suspended. Their absence significantly impacts the team's offense. However, Neto is in good form, having scored a goal and an assist in the league last weekend, and he is expected to be entrusted with a significant role. Ajax, with Wendal, Yarosh, Dolberg, and Reger injured, leaves Weghorst as the team's main scorer.

October 22, 12:00 PM, Champions League: Frankfurt vs. Liverpool

The two teams previously met in the 1972-73 UEFA Cup, with Liverpool winning one and drawing one. Both teams have been in a slump recently. Following a 2-2 away draw with Freiburg last weekend, Frankfurt has drawn one and lost two of their last three games. Liverpool suffered a four-game losing streak after a 1-2 home defeat to Manchester United. Frankfurt defender Baum is out due to injury in this match, but the team possesses a formidable offensive attack. Uzun and Burkart each scored six goals, with the former also providing four assists, while Doan Ritsu has four. Their presence poses a significant threat to Liverpool, who have only managed two clean sheets this season. On the Liverpool side, Alisson and Leoni are injured, and Gravenberch may also be sidelined. Ekitik, along with Salah, Wirtz, and Isak, will need to rediscover their scoring touch quickly against his former club to help end their losing streak.

October 22, 12:00 PM Champions League: Real Madrid vs. Juventus

The two teams have met 22 times in history, with Real Madrid holding a slight advantage with 11 wins, 3 draws, and 8 losses, including three wins over Juventus in the past four meetings. Last weekend, Real Madrid defeated Getafe 1-0 away in the league, extending their winning streak to three games, making it 10 wins in 11 games this season and extending their home winning streak to nine games across the season. Juventus has struggled recently, losing 0-2 away to Como in the league and failing to win in their last six games, with five draws and one loss.

Real Madrid defenders Huissen, Rudiger, Mastantono, Mendy, and Carvajal were sidelined due to injuries. Offensively, the team boasts Kylian Mbappé, one of the most in-form players in European football, who has scored 15 goals in 11 games this season and in each of his past 11 appearances for club and country. He is crucial to the team's success. Meanwhile, injuries to Pinsoglio, Milik, Mireti, Brehmer, and Kaval are leaving Juventus struggling. Offensively, the Bianconeri will need strong performances from Vlahović and Yildiz, who were in excellent form at the start of the season.