The UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinals get underway Saturday, because the final eight groups within the combine battle to get to the ultimate in Oslo on May 23.
The stakes are excessive, however how will the 4 playoff winners fare towards the automated qualifiers?
It is an unprecedented battle between English heavyweights in European soccer, the primary time these two have met within the Women’s Champions League and the primary time they may face off over two legs.
Domestically dominant Chelsea have claimed the previous six Women’s Super League (WSL) titles, however Arsenal have carried out the one factor the Blues have but to do: win the Champions League, although they waited 18 years following their first triumph in 2006-07. It will likely be an explosive conflict, particularly with every thing on the road for either side as neither is probably going to carry the WSL title this season, too far behind champions-elect Manchester City.
Key matchup: Mariona Caldentey vs. Lauren James
Lauren James has been in distinctive type for Chelsea after coming back from an prolonged rehab following persistent injuries. The membership performed the ready recreation, sacrificing outcomes earlier within the season to have its greatest participant match and wholesome for when it issues most. If Chelsea can get the ball to James, she is going to absolutely punish her former aspect along with her cool, calm and medical ending.
To maintain James again, Arsenal will belief that Mariona Caldentey can maintain management of the midfield, set the tempo and springboard assaults for her teammates. Although she is a superb finisher too — and may show the difference-maker on the rating sheet — she will likely be deployed to assist nullify James’ menace whereas additionally aiding Arsenal’s explosive assault that has caught Chelsea off guard already this season.
Key stat
This is the primary tie between two groups from the identical metropolis in UEFA girls’s membership competitors historical past.
Why every crew will not win the trophy
Chelsea: Sonia Bompator’s aspect is going through an damage disaster with restricted defenders accessible and Sam Kerr doubtlessly lacking due to participation within the Women’s Asian Cup. Chelsea bagged the primary silverware of the season final weekend with victory over Manchester United within the Women’s League Cup, however their skinny depth might show their unraveling on this closely congested interval.
Arsenal: History reveals that Renée Slegers’ aspect has the power to pull off shocks in high European video games prefer it did in final 12 months’s remaining towards Barcelona, however the want to carry out over two legs might show difficult. Despite improved type, Arsenal have a cut up focus: They have two video games in hand within the WSL, by which they danger falling out of European competitors for subsequent season, in addition to the latter levels of the FA Cup. Over single legs, you possibly can higher see them defending their title, however over two-legged ties, reaching the ultimate in Oslo feels a step too far for Arsenal.
Prediction
Chelsea 3-2 Arsenal (over two legs, doubtless with ET) — Emily Keogh
When the Clásico comes round, the query is inevitably the identical: Can Madrid lastly flip the tide towards a dominant Barça aspect? The reply seemed to be sure final 12 months when Madrid lastly ended their lengthy anticipate a win towards the Blaugrana, profitable 3-1 on the Olympic Stadium final March. Since then, although, it has been enterprise as ordinary: three Barça wins, 10 targets scored and 0 conceded. Going into this Champions League matchup between the groups, then, it’s onerous to see previous one other Barça victory. However, these two video games may show a bit completely different. Sandwiched within the center is a Liga F assembly between the groups, that means we get three Clásicos in a row. Madrid could have to discover a approach to make that overfamiliarity work of their favor.
Key matchup: Misa Rodríguez vs. Barça’s star-studded assault
The reality is it’s not really about Madrid goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez towards Barça striker Ewa Pajor; it’s about Misa towards the entire Barça assault. If Madrid are to win this tie, she could have to be at her greatest. Her save rely may even have to tally double figures. In 22 video games between the 2 groups, Barça have scored 75 targets. The targets come from many various gamers, too; it is not simply Poland striker Pajor, who has 23 targets in all competitions this season. Alexia Putellas and Clàudia Pina are additionally an enormous menace within the remaining third, however Caroline Graham Hansen, Salma Paralluelo and Kika Nazareth cannot be ignored, both.
Key stat
Barça have gained 21 out of twenty-two conferences with Madrid, scoring 75 targets and conceding simply 10.
Why every crew will not win the trophy
Barcelona: Barça failed to strengthen final summer time, even relinquishing a few of their squad depth, however are nonetheless motoring alongside properly underneath Pere Romeu, with a number of kids — resembling Aïcha Cámara and Clara Serrajordi — stepping up. However, Arsenal confirmed the blueprint to cease them final season and, with Aitana Bonmatí out injured, they may lack some creativeness within the remaining third towards groups that defend them nicely.
Real Madrid: There is not any proof Madrid are prepared to win this competitors. They are but to win a single trophy since their basis. Although they’ve seemed good at instances, they usually come up brief towards the very best groups. Recent examples embody crumbling towards Arsenal within the Champions League final season, shedding to Arsenal once more this time period and their common conferences with Barça. Perhaps they might win one recreation — and even one tie — towards a heavyweight, however it’s onerous to see them profitable three in a row.
Prediction
Barcelona 6-2 Real Madrid (over two legs) — Sam Marsden
It’s a conflict between two former champions who’re each keen to show they nonetheless are the European juggernauts they as soon as have been. Eight-time winners OL Lyonnes have gained essentially the most titles of any crew, however their most up-to-date declare was 4 years in the past. Although Wolfsburg made the 2023 remaining, their final conquest was again in 2014, marking over 12 years since they have been victorious within the competitors. It will likely be one of many hardest contests, with either side keen to show themselves.
Key matchup: Lineth Beerensteyn vs. Melchie Dumornay
Both with 4 targets, it will likely be a battle between the groups’ high scorers in OL Lyonnes’ Melchie Dumornay and Wolfsburg’s Lineth Beerensteyn. Dumornay has been very important to getting Lyonnes to one more knockout spherical. Meanwhile, striker Beerensteyn has been a lightweight throughout a tough Wolfsburg marketing campaign that has seen the aspect drop off in very important video games. Though they’re very completely different gamers, whichever crew can get its high scorer on the ball in key areas essentially the most could have the higher hand and can doubtless conquer the tie.
Key stat
OL Lyonnes have made historical past by reaching their seventeenth quarterfinal (degree with Arsenal). Wolfsburg have reached 13 quarterfinals in 14 seasons.
Why every crew will not win the trophy
Wolfsburg: They will not win the title as they’re unlikely to make it previous OL Lyonnes. Having misplaced from profitable positions a number of instances this season and failing to make use of video games going of their favor — Real Madrid dropped to 9 gamers and the German giants nonetheless couldn’t overturn a 2-0 deficit — it will likely be too massive of an ask for Wolfsburg to get to the semifinal, not to mention attain the ultimate or win the competitors.
OL Lyonnes: They have essentially the most pedigree and historical past behind them within the competitors, however their desperation to reclaim a few of their former glory has uncovered the vulnerabilities of Jonatan Giraldez’s tenure as supervisor. These frailties will be closely exploited by the appropriate crew. Both of their doable semifinal opponents — Chelsea or Arsenal — know these weaknesses and might capitalize on them.
Prediction
OL Lyonnes 4-1 Wolfsburg (over two legs) — Emily Keogh
This is Manchester United’s first foray within the Champions League, and reaching the ultimate eight is a good return, however they’re removed from carried out. Though they’ve underwhelmed within the WSL, they’ve impressed in Europe with group stage wins over Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid and Valerenga. Their squad has been stretched, however they introduced in contemporary faces in January — together with Bayern ahead Lea Schüller — and look nicely set to give their German opposition an actual check throughout each legs.
Bayern, in the meantime, will look to replicate the way by which United shipped targets when put underneath actual strain within the teams towards each OL Lyonnes and Wolfsburg. Bayern additionally impressed regardless of beginning with a 7-1 defeat to Barcelona, gathering wins towards Arsenal, Juventus and PSG, amongst others. Klara Bühl and Pernille Harder have been sensational for Bayern, and United’s protection could have to be at its greatest to cease the German aspect’s threats.
Key matchup: Julia Zigiotti Olme vs. Georgia Stanway
There are loads of eye-catching matchups — United’s protection will likely be tasked with stopping Buhl and Harder, whereas Jess Park‘s type could have Bayern on discover. But the duel in the midst of the pitch is fascinating, the place you count on United’s Julia Zigiotti Olme to face off towards Bayern’s Georgia Stanway. Stanway will see loads of acquainted faces on the alternative aspect of the pitch, and United will hope to have Ella Toone match once more to face her Lionesses teammate.
Zigiotti Olme, who joined United from Bayern in 2025, has been magnificent for United this 12 months, a key, calm presence within the coronary heart of their midfield. However, in a contest that guarantees to be cagey and tight, controlling the center of the pitch will go a good distance to deciding who advances.
Key stat
Klara Bühl is joint-first within the standings alongside Alessia Russo for essentially the most mixed targets and assists (9) within the competitors to date, with a tally of eight assists and one purpose. She additionally leads the way in which for possibilities created (31).
Why every crew will not win the trophy
Manchester United: This will likely be a marketing campaign too quickly for United, and that is doubtless to be the stage at which they bow out. They have carried out admirably on their first Champions League foray, and it was a particular evening to be there after they defeated PSG 2-1 again in November. We’ve seen the threats of Melvine Malard and Jess Park, and they’re constructing foundations from which they’ll progress within the coming seasons. But it will come too quickly: We noticed how Wolfsburg and OL Lyonnes dismantled them, and Bayern are favorites.
Bayern Munich: They have the group stage win over Arsenal as proof of their capacity to knock over WSL counterparts and will likely be favorites to progress by way of the tough process of United. Their type within the Frauen-Bundesliga has been astonishing — profitable 18 out of their 19 matches and drawing the opposite. That’s Barcelona-esque dominance. But on that observe, their Champions League marketing campaign began with that 7-1 dismantling by the hands of the Spanish giants. Right now, Barcelona and OL Lyonnes are main the remainder of the pack. Where there’s Bühl, Harder, Stanway and Giulia Gwinn, there may be hope, however profitable the entire thing is a step too far for them this 12 months.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 3-2 Manchester United (over two legs, with Bayern nicking it within the return leg in Munich) — Tom Hamilton
