The UEFA Women’s Champions League knockout phase begins with holders Arsenal, first-time qualifiers Manchester United, and European heavyweights Wolfsburg all in action, as fine margins and first-leg control come sharply into focus.
Arsenal v OH Leuven
Arsenal begin the defence of their European crown against OH Leuven, whom they beat 3-0 away on the final night of the league phase. Goals from Olivia Smith and Beth Mead, along with a Saar Janssen own goal, sealed that victory. Still, the Gunners will travel without Mead and Stina Blackstenius, who are sidelined with shin and calf issues, respectively.
Kyra Cooney-Cross is available, while Kim Little could make her 400th appearance for the club. Renée Slegers has warned against complacency, highlighting Leuven’s ability to counter quickly and stressing the importance of defensive discipline despite the earlier result.
Arsenal arrive in strong form after league wins away at Chelsea and at home to Manchester City, and fresh from lifting the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. Leuven, meanwhile, are already making history initsr first UWCL campaign. They reached the knockouts despite recording the fewest wins and goals of any qualified side, though their sole victory and three goals came at home. A narrow defensive shape and intense pressing will again be key to their approach.
Key stat: Arsenal overturned first-leg defeats to progress in all three two-legged ties last season.
Paris FC v Real Madrid
Paris FC and Real Madrid renew acquaintances after a 1-1 draw in the league phase, when Caroline Weir’s stoppage-time goal rescued a point for the Spanish side. The winners will face Barcelona in the quarter-finals.
Paris comes into the tie low on confidence after a 3-0 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain andhase won just one of their last five home matches. Their league phase ended with a 2-0 loss to Barcelona, leaving them tenth. Real Madrid arrive in better form, having beaten Espanyol 3-0 at the weekend and losing only once in six league-phase fixtures, a defeat at Arsenal.
Madrid finished three points above Paris and has lost just one of their last six away games. With Weir and Linda Caicedo offering match-winning quality, they will look to take control of a tie that was finely balanced earlier in the competition.
Key stat: Real Madrid have won the first leg of their last five two-legged UWCL ties.
Wolfsburg v Juventus
Two-time champions Wolfsburg host Juventus in what promises to be one of the tightest ties of the round. Wolfsburg missed out on automatic qualification after defeats in their final two league phase matches, while Juventus finished one point better off despite losing to Manchester United on Matchday 6.
Both sides scored 13 goals and kept just one clean sheet during the league phase, pointing towards an open contest. Wolfsburg’s experience and attacking threat, led by Alexandra Popp and Lineth Beerensteyn, gives them a slight edge. Still, Juventus arrive in strong domestic form, having won three consecutive Serie A matches without conceding.
Wolfsburg have reached at least the quarter-finals in 12 of their last 13 campaigns, while Juventus are aiming for only their second appearance in the last eight.
Key stat: Wolfsburg have never lost a two-legged UEFA tie to an Italian team.
Atlético Madrid v Manchester United
Manchester United step into the knockout phase for the first time after four league phase wins and three clean sheets, and they will take confidence from a 1-0 group stage victory over Atlético Madrid earlier this season.
United are on a five-match winning run but will be without Ella Toone and Leah Galton through injury. January signings Hanna Lundkvist, Lea Schuller and Ellen Wangerheim could make their European debuts. Atlético, now under new head coach José Herrera, are showing signs of recovery after a difficult run, edging past Levante at the weekend and progressing to the Copa de la Reina semi-finals.
Atlético finished 11th in the league phase and failed to win any home matches, but their attacking output suggests they can threaten. With Bayern Munich awaiting the winners, both sides know the scale of the opportunity.
Key stat: Atlético have won four of their last five two-legged UEFA ties.
Add comment
Comments