The fourth set of games in this year’s UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) delivered captivating encounters and offered a preview of the competition’s future direction as the standings solidify.
On Wednesday, Arsenal staged a comeback to triumph over Real Madrid 2-1, spearheaded by Alessia Russo’s two goals; OL Lyonnes managed a 3-3 tie against Juventus; VfL Wolfsburg overpowered Manchester United 5-2; Paris FC edged past Benfica 2-0; and Valerenga played to a 2-2 draw with St. Polten.
Thursday’s matches featured a 1-1 stalemate between powerhouses Barcelona and Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain’s struggles continued with a 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich, Atlético Madrid dominated FC Twente 4-0, and OH Leuven and Roma concluded with a 1-1 draw.
We engaged our sports analysts Julien Laurens, Sam Marsden, and Yash Thakur to dissect some crucial questions arising from the matches.
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What observations can be made regarding Chelsea and Barcelona’s prospects for securing the championship?
Thakur: Chelsea showcased resilience against Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League, delivering a strong showing that limited Barcelona to a mere nine shot attempts and only one significant opportunity. Sonia Bompastor’s squad effectively neutralized the three-time European victors, especially in the midfield area. The Blues maintain their unbeaten streak across all competitions this season. However, their ambition remains to convert these impressive displays into tangible victories, aiming for the coveted European title.
Barcelona appeared less dominant than usual and have presented vulnerabilities in their recent performances. Chelsea and Real Madrid both employed a strategy of aggressive, player-specific marking, which at times challenged Barcelona and impeded their progress through the central areas. Pere Romeu’s team remains a formidable contender and stands as one of three undefeated teams in the UWCL, but their limited squad depth often restricts their tactical options.
Marsden: Avoid hasty conclusions based on Thursday’s stalemate at Stamford Bridge. Considering the teams’ recent encounters, Chelsea may find the draw more satisfactory than Barcelona, although the English side had superior chances to secure a late victory.
This match further validated observations about Barcelona’s current season. When at full strength and form, they likely remain the top team in Europe, with a strong challenge from OL Lyonnes. However, even a single injury setback, such as the absence of Patri Guijarro and Salma Paralluelo in this game, can significantly disrupt their performance.
Laia Alexandri has performed commendably in Guijarro’s role, and Paralluelo’s place in the team is not guaranteed, but removing just two players from this Barça squad exposes a lack of depth. Romeu hesitated to make substitutions in pursuit of a win, introducing one defensive change in the 63rd minute before bringing in fresh attacking players in the final 15 minutes.
Laurens: This draw might be perceived as a minor triumph for Chelsea. They outperformed Barcelona, a leading contender in the competition, on Thursday night. Their tactical execution was remarkable, and their strategy was nearly flawless, denying Barcelona any easy opportunities. With a bit more fortune, the Blues could have emerged victorious, and Bompastor will undoubtedly extract numerous positives from this draw.
Conversely, Barcelona and Romeu face a different perspective. This game revealed that they are not as invulnerable as previously perceived. Arsenal demonstrated this in last season’s final, Chelsea reiterated it on Thursday, and Leuven also challenged them for their opening goal.
Following a challenging week for Real Madrid, what actions are necessary for them to advance further?
Thakur: In the previous season, Real Madrid triumphed over Arsenal and Real Madrid in consecutive matches. In contrast, this season they have succumbed to both teams, in spite of some encouraging showings under their new manager, Pau Quesada. However, this season they secured a victory against Paris Saint-Germain, marking their first in five attempts.
The team’s overall quality has improved significantly in recent seasons, including six new additions during the summer transfer window to address key areas. The focus should remain on strengthening the squad and retaining key players, as evidenced by the improvements in their performances. Currently, the team appears to lack a clinical striker and a controlling presence in midfield. Quesada’s side faces a challenging task in the upcoming summer.
Marsden: Real Madrid experienced a week marked by missed opportunities. These included Naomie Feller’s shot off the post against Barcelona, Caroline Weir’s shot cleared off the line followed by a missed penalty, and their inability to capitalize on a 1-0 lead against Arsenal on Wednesday.
Although it would be unfair to characterize their journey as effortless, reaching their current level—the second-best team in Spain and consistent Champions League qualifiers—was easier than taking the subsequent step.
Numerous indicators suggest they are closing the gap on Europe’s elite teams. Their first victory against Barça last March, combined with a solid Champions League run, demonstrated this progress. However, they still lack the necessary components to consistently compete with top-tier teams. The appointment of new coach Quesada has brought promising signs of improvement, with a focus on enhancing consistency and clinical precision in both penalty areas. Further quality additions will ultimately be necessary.
Laurens: I attended the Arsenal-Real Madrid match on Wednesday evening, and the Merengues appeared to control the majority of the first half. They delivered another commendable performance, reminiscent of their showing against Barcelona in the Clásico the previous weekend, where they created six significant opportunities compared to Barça’s five, yet suffered a 4-0 defeat.
They are approaching the top level. They could benefit from one additional top-tier defender to partner Maelle Lakrar, a distinguished defender who also poses a threat as a No. 9. Feller played in that role against the Gunners but lacked clinical effectiveness. Overall, Madrid’s inefficiency in both penalty areas contributed to their defeat. However, sustained improvement in their performances should yield positive results.
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Caroline Weir expressed disappointment over the loss to Arsenal resulting from a set-piece play
Caroline Weir provides her reflections on her goal and Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat against Arsenal in the Women’s Champions League.
What factors contributed to OL Lyonnes’ performance, and have they demonstrated vulnerability?
Thakur: Lyonnes significantly enhanced their squad during the summer transfer window. However, the majority of their acquisitions were focused on offensive players. Questions persisted regarding their midfield, defense, and overall squad equilibrium. The events against Juventus in this match largely stem from these factors.
While their performance against Juventus was an anomaly, the midfield continues to lean heavily toward attack, especially in the absence of Korbin Shrader on the field. The French champions possess influential attacking talent in midfield, but aligning them effectively remains coach Jonatan Giráldez’s principal challenge.
Laurens: I do not perceive anything particularly concerning in OL Lyonnes’ draw with Juventus on Wednesday. Although they trailed 3-0 at halftime, this was primarily because Juventus capitalized on their opportunities, while the French side squandered numerous chances. In the second half, they reasserted their dominance, staged a comeback, and could have potentially won the match.
While Yash raises a valid point about the midfield, the issue primarily stemmed from Giráldez’s experimental use of Lily Yohannes in that position, which proved to be a misjudgment. Upon substituting her with Korbin Shrader at halftime, the team’s performance improved significantly. A similar improvement occurred when Alice Sombath replaced Tarciane in defense. While there is room for improvement, I am not currently concerned. The Lyonnaises remain my favored team to win this competition, particularly given their current position at the top of the table, tied with Barcelona, despite not yet performing at their peak.
Marsden: I concur with Jules on this matter. Lyonnes can attribute this performance to an atypical night, considering they found themselves trailing 3-0 at the conclusion of the first half, during which Juventus managed only 24% possession and three shots on target. This experience may serve as a cautionary lesson for Giráldez’s players, reminding them not to underestimate any opponent in this competition.
Teams such as Arsenal in the previous season, as well as Wolfsburg, Man United, Bayern, and Chelsea this year, are demonstrating their capacity to compete with the established powerhouses of Lyonnes and Barça. However, Lyonnes illustrated in the second half against Juve their ability to regain control. They probably should have secured the victory. While I would not characterize them as vulnerable at this juncture, last year’s semifinal defeat to Arsenal and this recent match against Juve should serve as a reminder to maintain vigilance.
What factors have contributed to PSG’s struggles? While they have faced challenging matches, are they at risk of early elimination?
Thakur: The overall quality of the squad at Paris Saint-Germain has diminished in recent summer transfer windows. The team’s style of play has evolved under the guidance of new manager Paulo César, and the defense appears vulnerable. These factors have been evident in their recent performances at both the domestic and European levels. The decline in squad quality has made it difficult for them to compete with leading teams.
They are currently the only team without a single point in the new UWCL format, having conceded 11 goals while scoring only three. The upcoming matches against OH Leuven and Benfica present a comparatively easier schedule, offering a glimmer of optimism. However, their destiny is no longer entirely within their control. Last season’s elimination during the qualification rounds served as an early warning sign that went unheeded.
Laurens: This team is undergoing a substantial transition. Expectations should be tempered accordingly. They are shifting away from a strategy of lavish spending and acquiring prominent players, instead prioritizing the development of young talent from Paris and building the team around them. I attended the PSG-Bayern match and, despite the evident technical superiority of the German side, the scoreline was closer to 2-2 than 1-3 for the majority of the second half. Their recent performances, including matches against Manchester United and on Thursday, have shown positive aspects, although without the desired results. Their initial four fixtures (against Wolfsburg, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich) posed a considerable challenge for a young team with an inexperienced manager in Paulo César. I anticipate them defeating Leuven at home and Benfica away, but I doubt that six points will be sufficient to secure qualification.
Marsden: Two statements hold true: PSG is a team undergoing transition and has faced a remarkably demanding schedule in Europe. However, it is also noteworthy that a team with a history of success in the Champions League is the only team without a point after four matches. The club must undertake a thorough evaluation in the coming months, as this situation is unacceptable. Given that the team in the 12th and final qualifying position—Paris FC—currently possesses five points, it is difficult to envision them escaping this predicament this season. The positive aspect is that the situation cannot deteriorate further.
Which of the smaller teams has impressed you the most, and which has the potential to qualify?
Thakur: OH Leuven stands out. As one of this year’s debutants from Belgium, they have acquitted themselves admirably against every opponent. Even in their 3-0 defeat to Barcelona, they demonstrated commendable performance. They have held their own against clubs such as Roma and Paris FC, both mid-sized clubs with ambitions and experience in the Champions League.
OH Leuven and Valerenga appear to be contending for a spot in the qualification playoffs. The latter seemed to be in a more advantageous position, but their dropped points against St. Polten in this match could prove costly. The former faces challenging upcoming matches against PSG and defending champions Arsenal, making their task difficult. However, their performances against Paris FC and Roma suggest they could potentially upset the Parisian side.
Laurens: I concur with Yash regarding Leuven, but I would also highlight Valerenga, who are just one point behind (4 points versus 5) with a slightly superior goal difference (minus-1 versus minus-2). They were unfortunate to lose against Wolfsburg in the 98th minute and performed well in their away win against Roma, but they missed a significant opportunity by dropping two points against St. Polten despite holding a 2-0 lead. They demonstrate exceptional effort and will fancy their chances in their home match against Paris FC next month. A victory in that match would represent a substantial step toward securing a top-12 finish and qualification for the next round.
Marsden: Leuven is undoubtedly the standout team. As Yash mentioned, they came close to reaching halftime goalless even against Barça, and they have only lost one of their four matches. The next few weeks will be critical in determining whether they can advance. They likely need a positive result against either PSG or Arsenal to reach the playoff round, which will be challenging given PSG’s struggles in Europe.
While some may object to Madrid and Man United being labeled as smaller teams (and both experienced setbacks this week), they continue to make progress despite limited history in the women’s game. Neither team had lost before this round of fixtures, and they both remain in the top seven, well-positioned to reach the next stage of the competition.
