Women’s Champions League: Thrilling Finale Approaches in League Phase

With four games complete and two remaining, the inaugural league phase of the Women’s Champions League is poised for an exhilarating conclusion as teams compete for spots in the knockout stage.

Last year’s runners-up, Barcelona, currently lead the standings, closely followed by the record eight-time champions, Lyon. Meanwhile, Manchester United, making their debut in the main draw, are at the forefront among the trio of Women’s Super League teams.

Teams finishing in the top four will secure automatic qualification for the quarter-finals, while those ranked fifth to twelfth will enter a two-legged playoff to determine additional participants.

Manchester United is among five clubs that have confirmed at least a playoff spot, joining Barcelona, Lyon, Wolfsburg, and Bayern Munich.

BBC Sport reviews the performances of the three English clubs thus far in this continental competition and what lies ahead.

Arsenal, the reigning champions, have faced challenges in the Champions League this season, with their performances not meeting the heightened expectations following their remarkable victory over Barcelona in last May’s final. An opening-night defeat to Lyon and a significant loss to Bayern Munich bracketed a shaky away victory against Benfica. However, Alessia Russo’s pivotal goals facilitated a comeback win against Real Madrid, leaving the European champions eighth in the table with six points from four matches and positioned to secure a playoff spot.

Arsenal’s upcoming matches against Dutch side Twente and Belgian team Leuven, both of whom are currently in the elimination zone, provide a promising opportunity for them to strive for a top-four finish and automatic qualification for the knockout stage.

Chelsea’s journey towards their first Champions League title has been a rollercoaster. They opened with a lackluster draw against Dutch champions Twente but rebounded by decisively defeating Paris FC and scoring six goals against St. Pölten. They then managed an impressive 1-1 draw against familiar rivals Barcelona. With four matches played, Chelsea currently occupies sixth place, just outside the top four, yet their momentum and confidence appear to be growing.

The team will face Roma in their fifth match before a crucial encounter against two-time champions Wolfsburg, which could determine their fate for automatic qualification.

Manchester United commenced their inaugural European campaign strongly, winning their first three matches against Valerenga, Atletico Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain while conceding only one goal. However, their momentum came to a halt with a 5-2 defeat against Wolfsburg in their fourth match. This disappointing loss marked their third defeat in four competitive matches, highlighting concerns regarding squad depth as they navigate multiple competitions.

With nine points from four games, United currently holds fourth place in the standings, which would ensure automatic qualification for the quarter-finals, though significant improvements are necessary to maintain that position. Their upcoming fixtures include a home game against Lyon and an away match against Italian powerhouses Juventus.

All three English clubs still have a chance to qualify automatically for the quarter-finals, with each team remaining to play two matches in the league phase—one at home and one away. The final rankings will be determined by points accrued after the sixth matchday, with teams ranked 13th to 18th facing elimination.

Presently, Manchester United is set to qualify automatically for the quarter-finals, while Arsenal and Chelsea would enter the playoffs. However, with only four points separating United in fourth from Paris FC in twelfth, the outcome is uncertain.

Adding to the excitement, all nine matches on matchday six, scheduled for Wednesday, December 17, will kick off simultaneously at 20:00 GMT, ensuring that the standings could change up until the very last whistle of the league phase.

Listeners can enjoy Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie as they return for another season of the Women’s Football Weekly podcast, with new episodes released every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, featuring interviews and additional content from the Women’s Super League and beyond.

For the latest updates on the WSL, visit our dedicated page.