The league phase kicks off this week, with several sides optimistic of unseating the European champions.
T his competition is wide open. The league phase of a new Women’s Champions League campaign begins on Tuesday with genuine elements of unpredictability, intrigue and a competitive feel after Barcelona, the holders, and winners of four titles in six years, underwent changes this summer.
The Spanish champions have had four players who started the victory in the final last season leave the club. Ona Batlle joined Arsenal, Salma Paralluelo signed for OL Lyonnes and Alexia Putellas and Mapi León moved to London City Lionesses.
Hoping to capitalise and reclaim a title they have not won since 2022 are OL Lyonnes.
Lifting the European Cup would be a defining achievement for their owner, Michele Kang and for their head coach, Jonatan Giráldez, if he could win the competition with a second team after his back-to-back successes with Barcelona in 2023 and 2024.
Bayern Munich should be in contention along with a trio of English sides all of whom have the squads and resources to mount challenges.
Manchester City, the English domestic champions, reached the quarter‑finals in 2025, but missed out last season, and have something of a point to prove and a desire to make up for lost time.
Chelsea, finalists only once when they were beaten by Barcelona in 2021, would love to return to the top stage again at this season’s final in May.
Similarly, the absence of Wolfsburg is jarring, with the two-time champions’ run of 14 successive years ended in shock fashion when they lost to Inter on penalties in qualifying.