A new Women’s Champions League campaign kicks off next week as the continent’s premiere clubs clash in the expanded league phase, setting the stage for Europe’s elite players to contend for continental silverware. Reigning Spanish powerhouses FC Barcelona Femení enter this term following another dominant start in Liga F, where they’ve swept their opening six matches with 30 goals scored and just a single goal conceded. The Catalans have marched to five consecutive UWCL finals, capturing three titles along the way. However, Barcelona face a distinct transition following the summer departures of cornerstone stars Alexia Putellas, Ona Batlle, Mapi Leon, and Salma Paralluelo. Crucial to their central engine is three-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí, alongside deep-lying playmaker Patri Guijarro, who controlled play by averaging 104.4 touches per match in the 2025 competition.
The competition for marquee attacking honors will feature high-caliber goalscorers leading their respective frontlines across Europe. At 22 years old, Salma Paralluelo has transitioned to become Lyon’s focal forward for their title push, bringing exceptional speed, power, and finishing prowess to the eight-time Champions League winners. Lyon sit atop the French top flight and remain driven to mount a deep run under their storied European pedigree. Meanwhile, Arsenal boasts dynamic attacking talent in Alessia Russo, who hit the net nine times last season and remains a primary finishing option. The Gunners are also anchored by Swedish striker Stina Blackstenius, who leads the competition standard with five goals this term and has accumulated 45 goals across the last ten UWCL campaigns, ranking second overall in that span.
Tactical shifts across midfield will also define the group stage narrative, where creative distribution remains paramount. Midfielder Temwa Chawinga has asserted herself with dynamic output, leading all tournament midfielders with 108 passes ending in the opponent’s half while ranking third with 163 completed passes in the middle third. Arsenal manager Renee Slegers will rely heavily on such controlling figures as her squad looks to regain the European title they claimed in 2025. The Gunners open their schedule against formidable European opposition including Barcelona, Paris FC, and Inter Milan, though Slegers’ side must overcome recent domestic friction after entering Tuesday’s opener on a three-game winless stretch.
Across London, Chelsea continue their quest for an elusive Champions League trophy after finishing as runners-up in the 2020-21 campaign. Under manager Sonia Bompastor, who swept every domestic trophy last term and currently leads the WSL table five games into the season, the Blues have added exciting 21-year-old American winger Alyssa Thompson to their ranks. Bompastor faces a high-profile reunion with her former club Lyon, alongside fixtures against Paris Saint-Germain, Roma, league phase debutants Austria Wien, Swedish side Hacken, and Belgium’s OH Leuven. Elsewhere, Women’s Super League champions Manchester City return to European action after missing out last year, successfully avoiding the toughest opposition after being placed in pot three.
