The UEFA Ladies’s Champions League is again! With a brand new 18-team format, single group-stage desk and tons of the world’s finest feminine gamers on present, this season shall be larger than ever. And you’ll catch each recreation dwell on Disney+ throughout Europe.
Holders Arsenal face eight-time winners OL Lyonnes within the first spherical of fixtures, whereas the second of final yr’s semifinals, Chelsea vs. Barcelona, can be on the playing cards for later within the competitors.
So what do you should know? What are the speaking factors? What about every of the 18 groups? And the place would possibly all of them end within the desk? Emily Keogh and Sam Marsden give us the lowdown.
– Thakur: How will OL Lyonnes’ spending affect UWCL cost?
– Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí prepared for ‘extra aggressive’ UWCL
– Thakur: Why are Barça’s Ballon d’Or pair Bonmati, Lopez so particular?
The change to the Swiss mannequin, mirroring the boys’s Champions League, comes at a superb time. As the standard rises throughout the board, a rise to 18 groups permits extra sides to learn from taking part in towards higher opposition frequently. Even when meaning some heavy defeats for the smaller groups this yr, it ought to deliver long-term enhancements.
There are additionally heavyweight matchups from the beginning, with holders Arsenal assembly eight-time winners OL Lyonnes and Barcelona internet hosting Bayern Munich within the opening spherical of video games. Barça additionally journey to Chelsea later within the league section. These are video games that may have been not possible to see within the group stage, when the highest seeds didn’t play one another.
“It’s [going to be] a really thrilling season as a result of the Champions League is altering,” Barça midfielder Aitana Bonmatí informed ESPN this month. “I feel it’s among the best [things] they might do as a result of it makes it extra aggressive. It’s higher for everybody.” — Sam Marsden
Staying on the high is commonly more durable than getting there, and Arsenal face a tricky season forward. Underdogs in final yr’s remaining towards Barcelona, they pulled off what few may, breaking down the Catalan facet whereas retaining them out on the different finish for an historic 1-0 win. With key additions this summer season and a full season beneath supervisor Renée Slegers, who took over final October, a semifinal spot appears a practical purpose.
For Chelsea, it is a make-or-break yr. Regardless of home dominance — profitable each WSL title since 2019 — they’ve failed to succeed in a European remaining since 2021, and the combination 8-2 thrashing by Barcelona in final season’s semifinal nonetheless stings. With thousands and thousands spent to signal middle again Naomi Girma, winger Alyssa Thompson, and proper again Ellie Carpenter this summer season, they have to show that funding can lastly take them additional and make it to Oslo for the ultimate.
Lastly, Manchester United enter their first-ever European marketing campaign as underdogs. The stress of the membership’s legacy within the males’s recreation looms massive, however with a skinny squad, retaining their gamers match is essential. In the event that they handle that, they could simply sneak via into the latter levels. — Emily Keogh
Arsenal confirmed in final season’s remaining that Barça are beatable. We already knew that, on their day, Chelsea or OL Lyonnes also can compete with the Spanish champions, however what Arsenal’s win does is give confidence to different groups — particularly from England and Germany, and even Actual Madrid, who beat Barça for the primary time in Liga F final season — that the competitors is opening up.
Barça’s cost-cutting has been effectively documented this summer season. They’ve maybe been barely overplayed, with the Catalan facet not shedding any of their finest gamers. Nonetheless, they’ve misplaced depth, which opens them as much as issues ought to they’ve any accidents this season. To compete on all fronts, they might discover a squad of round 18 gamers is slightly brief come springtime. — SM
Whereas their greatest rivals lately, Barça, have been quiet this summer season, OL Lyonnes have been extraordinarily busy. They’ve picked off gamers from Paris Saint-Germain, Barça, Chelsea and Wolfsburg, bringing in each expertise and potential. Ex-PSG striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto is among the finest purpose scorers in Europe, Jule Model is an excellent attacking possibility and USWNT internationals Korbin Shrader and Lily Yohannes have heaps of promise.
Maybe the French facet’s greatest pickup, although, is former Barça coach Jonatan Giráldez, who arrived from sister membership Washington Spirit. Giráldez led Barça to back-to-back Champions Leagues and his transfer units up an interesting narrative forward of a possible assembly together with his former membership later within the competitors.
Nonetheless, together with his status — and OL Lyonnes’ summer season spending — comes stress. With the squad he has at his disposal, Giráldez shall be anticipated to ship a primary European trophy since 2022 taking part in within the method that purchased Barça a lot success. — SM
Most likely not. It might sound harsh, however expectations are low for each German golf equipment. Wolfsburg have been as soon as a pressure to be reckoned with within the ladies’s recreation, however have steadily misplaced key gamers over the previous two seasons and look like in transition. Since their final UWCL win and the 3-2 defeat within the 2023 remaining, they’ve struggled to reassert themselves on the high degree, failing to even qualify the next yr.
Bayern Munich, in contrast, have better squad cohesion and depth than their home rivals however have been dealt one of many hardest attracts within the competitors. Whereas they’re higher positioned on paper, neither workforce have actually impressed in latest European campaigns and it seems like there are too many obstacles for them to make a critical run this time.
That stated, the brand new 18-team, single-table format creates unpredictability throughout the board. If outcomes elsewhere fall of their favor they usually discover kind on the proper time, there’s a slim likelihood one may progress additional than anticipated. — EK
Paris FC have standout gamers like Clara Mateo and priceless expertise within the competitors, in order that they know what it takes to go toe-to-toe with Europe’s finest. With high golf equipment now frequently going through one another within the group stage, extra factors shall be dropped throughout the board, creating a gap for well-organized sides to sneak right into a knockout spot. And Paris FC may very well be one.
Elsewhere, Roma stay on the fringes after transferring on from supervisor Alessandro Spugna in the summertime. They’re a powerful attacking facet with rising pedigree, however inconsistency could also be their undoing — although that would additionally work of their favor if opponents underestimate them.
Of all of the workforce, Norwegian facet Vålerenga are most likely the true outsiders. They managed to keep away from the hardest groups within the league section and will quietly construct momentum. It’s a protracted shot, however in a contest the place small margins matter and upsets are widespread, a little bit of luck may work wonders. — EK
Stats through ESPN World Sports activities Analysis.
ARSENAL
Fixtures: Lyon (h), Benfica (a), Bayern (a), Actual Madrid (h), Twente (h), OH Leuven (a)
Supervisor: Renée Slegers
Star participant: Mariona Caldentey
Key stat: Seeking to be part of OL Lyonnes (8), Eintracht Frankfurt (4) and Barcelona (3) as the one groups with at the very least three UWCL titles.
As reigning champions, the Gunners are beneath stress to ship and all eyes shall be on them. After ending an 18-year title drought, they’ve rediscovered their profitable edge and are hungry for extra. However with the crown comes a giant goal on their backs as each workforce shall be desirous to take factors off them. Arsenal have strengthened their squad this summer season to fulfill the problem, including Canada sensation Olivia Smith to a ahead line already boasting Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly, and Caitlin Foord. And, after lacking out on the Ballon d’Or to Aitana Bonmatí, Caldentey shall be a key participant within the engine room and seeking to attain a fifth remaining in a row. — EK
ATLÉTICO MADRID
Fixtures: St. Pölten (a), Manchester United (h), Juventus (h), Twente (a), Bayern Munich (h), OL Lyonnes (a)
Supervisor: Víctor Martín
Star participant: Fiamma Benítez
Key stat: The primary time the workforce have gotten previous the qualifying rounds since 2020-21. Their 4 Liga F titles are tied for third-most behind Barcelona (10) and Athletic Membership (5).
Atlético have been the dominant pressure in Spain for a number of years however have fallen away because the emergence of Barça as one of many recreation’s tremendous powers. There are indicators this yr, although, that they may very well be one of many shock packages in Europe. They’ve began effectively in Liga F, beating rivals Actual Madrid already, and have some fascinating younger gamers of their squad. Fiamma Benítez, Luany and Júlia Bartel, on mortgage from Chelsea, have all began the marketing campaign effectively. They’re unlikely to compete with the easiest sides, however may present a couple of upsets. — SM
BARCELONA
Fixtures: Bayern Munich (h), Roma (a), OH Leuven (h), Chelsea, (a), Benfica (h), Paris FC (a)
Supervisor: Pere Romeu
Star participant: Aitana Bonmatí
Key stat: May tie Frankfurt for the second-most titles within the competitors, with their fourth. They may additionally break a tie for essentially the most consecutive UWCL finals (each OL Lyonnes and Barcelona have beforehand made it to the ultimate in five-straight seasons).
Barcelona misplaced depth this summer season, however not high quality, so don’t sleep on them. Laia Aleixandri is the one addition to the squad, however they nonetheless have the most effective midfield within the recreation in Patri Guijarro, Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas. Caroline Graham Hansen and Ewa Pajor are a continuing menace within the remaining third, too, however maybe extra importantly, they’ve a core of younger gamers able to make their mark. Kika Nazareth, Claudia Pina, Vicky López, Salma Paralluelo, Sydney Schertenleib and Esmee Brugts are all able to play massive roles. — SM
BAYERN MUNICH
Fixtures: Barcelona (h), Juventus (a), Arsenal (h), PSG (a), Atlético (h), Vålerenga (a)
Supervisor: Jose Barcala
Star participant: Klara Bühl
Key stat: Searching for their first remaining look, having misplaced twice within the semifinals in 2018-19 and 2020-21 to Barcelona and Chelsea respectively.
Of all of the groups within the competitors, Bayern Munich arguably have one of many hardest runs of fixtures. Dealing with former winners Barcelona and present holders Arsenal, together with competitors veterans Juventus and PSG, shall be something however simple for the German champions. They’ve by no means actually kicked on previous the quarterfinals both, so historical past isn’t on their facet. With good squad and another outcomes going their manner, they might make it via however can’t afford to drop many factors. — EK
BENFICA
Fixtures: Juventus (a), Arsenal (h), Twente (h), Paris FC (a), Barcelona (a), Paris Saint-Germain (h)
Supervisor: Ivan Baptista
Star participant: Cristina Martín-Prieto
Key stat: Turned the primary Portuguese facet to make the quarterfinals in 2023-24.
The Portuguese champions are as dominant of their homeland as they’re unpredictable in Europe. They went from reaching the quarterfinals in 2024 — drawing 4-4 with eventual winners Barça within the group stage — to not even qualifying final yr. They’ll have an eye fixed on a top-12 end this yr and a spot within the playoff spherical. Getting there could rely upon the objectives of Spain striker Martín-Prieto, a throwback No. 9 striker who has been very good since transferring to Portugal in 2024. They’ve drawn some powerful fixtures, although. — SM
CHELSEA
Fixtures: Twente (a), Paris FC (h), St Pölten (a), Barcelona (h), Roma (h), Wolfsburg (a)
Supervisor: Sonia Bompastor
Star participant: Sam Kerr
Key stat: Their solely three defeats final season (and first losses beneath Bompastor) got here within the Champions League knockouts (one loss vs Manchester Metropolis, and two vs. Barcelona). They accomplished their second home Treble, after 2021, to win the WSL, FA Cup and League Cup titles.
Regardless of holding the English title for the previous six years, Chelsea have been unable to say European glory. The title eluded them for 12 years beneath Emma Hayes and final season, beneath the steering of former OL Lyonnes boss Sonia Bompastor, the membership crashed out within the semifinals 8-2 on combination to Barcelona. Chelsea have didn’t make it previous the semis for the final three seasons, however now they’ve a squad depth unrivalled by any on the continent, it’s crunch time. Prolific striker Sam Kerr is again from her 22-month harm absence, including much more choices up entrance, so there aren’t any excuses for one more disappointing marketing campaign. — EK
JUVENTUS
Fixtures: Benfica (h), Bayern Munich (a), Atlético Madrid (a), OL Lyonnes (h), St. Pölten (a), Manchester United (h)
Supervisor: Massimiliano Canzi
Star participant: Cristiana Girelli
Key stat: Received their third home double in eight seasons of existence in 2024-25 in addition to beating Paris Saint-Germain to make the Champions League group stage for the third time.
Italy will hope the nationwide workforce’s run to the semifinals at Euro 2025 may have a knock-on impact for his or her golf equipment in Europe this season. Eight members of that Italy squad play for Juventus, who shall be comparatively pleased with the best way their fixtures have fallen. There may be loads of expertise within the facet, with former Arsenal midfielder Lia Wälti added to veterans Cristiana Girelli and Barbara Bonansea, and the Italian champions shall be disenchanted in the event that they don’t make the playoff spherical. — SM
MANCHESTER UNITED
Fixtures: Vålerenga (h), Atlético (a), PSG (h), Wolfsburg (a), Lyon (h), Juventus (a)
Supervisor: Marc Skinner
Star participant: Elisabeth Terland
Key stat: Progressed previous the qualifying rounds for the primary time in historical past, as Elisabeth Terland hit hat methods towards PSV and her former membership Brann to complete as high scorer in qualifying with seven objectives.
It’s United’s debut within the competitors, having solely reached the qualifiers as soon as earlier than — once they didn’t get via PSG in 2023 — however a reunion with former goalkeeper Mary Earps is on the playing cards now. They don’t have anything to lose of their first marketing campaign and though they’re a top-three facet in England, going through Juve, OL Lyonnes, Wolfsburg and PSG shall be an actual check of the place they stand among the many European elite. Supervisor Skinner has a dangerously skinny squad, so competing within the WSL and on the continent in midweek shall be powerful to handle if there are any accidents. They should be within the competitors, however have to show they will compete. — EK
OH LEUVEN
Fixtures: Paris FC (a), Twente (h), Barcelona (h), Roma (h), PSG (a), Arsenal (h)
Supervisor: Arno van den Abbeel
Star participant: Aurélie Reynders
Key stat: The primary workforce from Belgium to succeed in the group stage, and the seventh of all international locations to get this far on their European debut.
It was a outstanding feat for the Belgian minnows to make it to the league section. Their first style of Europe got here within the second qualifying spherical vs. SFK 2000, then Rosengård — earlier than beating Vorskla Poltava over two legs within the third spherical — however that shall be nothing in comparison with the caliber of groups that awaits them now. There may be clearly an enormous distinction between their gamers, amenities and assets, and people of their opponents however they have been seen celebrating their draw and received’t be cowering in concern on the prospect of stepping up a degree. OH Levuen shall be desirous to show themselves and everybody loves an underdog, so should you’re eager to again a history-making workforce then you need to get behind them. — EK
OL LYONNES
Fixtures: Arsenal (a), St. Pölten (h), Wolfsburg (h), Juventus (a), Manchester United (a), Atlético Madrid (h)
Supervisor: Jonatan Giráldez
Star participant: Melchie Dumornay
Key stat: File-holders with eight UWCL titles. Ada Hegerberg can be the highest purpose scorer within the historical past of the competitors with 66 (scored with Stabaek, Turbine Potsdam, Lyonnes).
Choosing a star participant from this OL Lyonnes facet is an not possible process. It’s not an exaggeration to say they’ve 10 gamers who can be the star for many different groups on this yr’s competitors. Coach Giráldez’s dilemma is becoming all that expertise into the identical facet and retaining them comfortable all through the season. It might additionally take time for all the brand new signings to settle and Giráldez to implement his taking part in fashion, however the early indicators are optimistic — they’ve already smashed PSG 3-1 within the French league. — SM
PARIS FC
Fixtures: Leuven (h), Chelsea (a), Actual Madrid (a), Benfica (h), Vålerenga (a), Barcelona (h)
Supervisor: Sandrine Soubeyrand
Star participant: Clara Mateo
Key stat: Turned the primary workforce ever to knock out two-time champions Wolfsburg earlier than the quarterfinals in 2023-24.
It has beforehand been a rocky spherical for Paris FC within the UWCL. They pulled off an enormous shock within the 2023-24 season, defeating each Arsenal and Wolfsburg to succeed in the competitors, earlier than beating Actual Madrid 1-0 to complete a decent third of their group. And although they misplaced 8-0 on combination to Manchester Metropolis within the qualifiers final season, the French membership are excited to be again among the many finest in Europe. Paris FC will definitely be among the many center pack of groups who shall be determined to succeed in the quarterfinals, they usually have a good draw to assist their probabilities. Although they face Barcelona and outdated foes Chelsea, they’re greater than able to profitable their different 4 video games, so the brand new format could give them a shot on the knockout rounds. — EK
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Fixtures: Wolfsburg (a), Actual Madrid (h), Manchester United (a), Bayern Munich (h), OH Leuven (h), Benfica (a)
Supervisor: Paulo César
Star participant: Sakina Karchaoui
Key stat: Missed out on the group stage in 2024-25 after defeat by Juventus, ending a run of reaching at the very least the quarterfinals six years in a row and 9 instances in 10 seasons. Regardless of that file, they haven’t made the ultimate since 2016-17.
PSG are regulars within the latter levels of the Champions League — should you ignore the disaster of not qualifying for the group stage final yr — and are determined to take the subsequent step. An indication of their ambition was their 1 million transfer for Barça’s Alexia Putellas this summer season. That was a switch they might not pull off ultimately and the sensation is that their squad is weaker this yr than final. Crystal Dunn, Olga Carmona and Rasheedat Ajibade are among the many arrivals, however they misplaced a few of their finest gamers. Katoto and Shrader each moved to Lyon, whereas Grace Geyoro joined London Metropolis Lionesses. — SM
REAL MADRID
Fixtures: Roma (h), Paris SaintGermain (a), Paris FC (h), Arsenal (a), Wolfsburg (h), Twente (a)
Supervisor: Pau Quesada
Star participant: Sara Dabritz
Key stat: Contesting their fifth straight UWCL, their finest result’s reaching the quarterfinals twice in 2021-22 and 2024-25.
There’s a expertise on this Actual Madrid squad and the frustration is that they may very well be doing higher than they’ve performed in latest seasons. A change of coach, with Pau Quesada changing Alberto Toril, could assist them enhance. Germany’s Dabritz was added to a workforce this summer season that already options Linda Caicedo, Caroline Weir and Athenea del Castillo, amongst others, and which ought to be closing the hole on the most effective groups in Europe. Beating Barcelona for the primary time earlier this yr may have boosted confidence and the assumption they will go far within the Champions League. — SM
ROMA
Fixtures: Actual Madrid (a), Barcelona (h), Vålerenga (h), OH Leuven (a), Chelsea (a), St. Pölten (h)
Supervisor: Luca Rossettini
Star participant: Manuela Giugliano
Key stat: Certified for group stage section in all 4 of their UWCL campaigns, with the furthest stage being the quarterfinals in 2022-23.
Roma have three powerful matches and three winnable video games. Below the management of recent coach Luca Rossettini, they need to be concentrating on a spot within the playoff rounds. Which will in the end be the ceiling for this facet, although. It generally feels they’re too depending on midfielder and captain Giugliano — and her objectives — though others have chipped on this season to date. Switzerland’s Alayah Pilgrim impressed within the latest Serie A Ladies’s Cup, when Roma progressed to the ultimate, the place they suffered a 3-2 stoppage time loss to Juventus. — SM
ST. POLTEN
Fixtures: Atlético (h), OL Lyonnes (a), Chelsea (h), Vålerenga (a), Juventus (h), Roma (a)
Supervisor: Tuğberk Tanrıvermiş
Star participant: Carina Brunold
Key stat: Superior via qualifying for fourth yr in a row and have received the Austrian Bundesliga within the final 10 accomplished seasons.
The Austrian facet have been a staple within the group stage for the previous few seasons, however have didn’t kick on and attain the quarterfinals — although perhaps fourth time would be the attraction as the brand new format has created extra alternatives for the lower-ranked sides to make it via. Having overwhelmed Fortuna Hjørring in qualifying, St. Pölten will fancy their probabilities towards most of their league section opponents aside from OL Lyonnes and Chelsea. They’ve proven loads of grit and dedication earlier than and will play an enormous position in who makes it via. — EK
TWENTE
Fixtures: Chelsea (h), Leuven (a), Benfica (a), Atlético (h), Arsenal (a), Actual Madrid (h)
Supervisor: Joran Pot
Star participant: Jill Roord
Key stat: They fell in three-straight qualifying phases earlier than advancing to the group stage within the final two seasons. They’re additionally 10-time Dutch league champions, essentially the most titles in league historical past (began in 2007-08).
Roord, one of many Champions League’s most-experienced veterans is again the place all of it started. The 28-year-old Netherlands midfielder has performed within the competitors with Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Wolfsburg and Manchester Metropolis, and returned to her former membership Twente — the place she performed from 2013-2017, and scored 57 objectives over 100 appearances. A reunion with Arsenal shall be fascinating, however Twente shall be seeking to make it previous the league section having struggled towards Europe’s elite since 2019.
VALARENGA
Fixtures: Man United (a), Wolfsburg (h), Roma (a), St Pölten (h), Paris FC (h), Bayern Munich (a)
Supervisor: Nils Lexerød
Star participant: Olaug Tvedten
Key stat: Had the one attract 48 group-stage matches final season (vs. Bayern Munich.)
As hosts of the Oslo remaining at their residence floor in Might, no workforce shall be as desirous to progress as Vålerenga. However, given their inexperience — they’ve solely been within the competitors as soon as earlier than and completed backside of their group — it’s a very, very lengthy shot. Nonetheless, having prevented the “high 4” of Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea and OL Lyonnes within the draw, they are going to really feel assured. Sure, they’ll should be near excellent to defeat Wolfsburg, however they’re greater than able to battling towards Roma, Paris FC, St Pölten and Man United. And, even when the primary 5 video games don’t go their manner, they might play a job in deciding who will get via with their remaining recreation towards Bayern. — EK
WOLFSBURG
Fixtures: Paris SaintGermain (h), Vålerenga (h), OL Lyonnes (a), Manchester United (h), Actual Madrid (a), Chelsea (h)
Supervisor: StephanLerch
Star participant: Alexandra Popp
Key stat: 104 matches performed within the match is the third-most all-time, after OL Lyonnes (152) and Arsenal (124).
The times of Wolfsburg being among the many major contenders to win this competitors really feel like they’ve handed. Each summer season they should cope with the departure of their finest gamers. This yr it was Jule Model’s transfer to Lyon; final yr it was Ewa Pajor becoming a member of Barcelona. It’s exhausting to compete once you hold shedding expertise. That stated, they continue to be aggressive in Germany and nonetheless have a strong squad filled with expertise. Decreased expectations could favour them once they face a few of Europe’s greatest groups this yr with little to lose.
Leave a Reply