BERLIN (AP) – This week’s Women’s Champions League will see old friends Lyon and Wolfsburg reunite before Bayern Munich and defending champion Arsenal reignite their growing rivalry.
In the third round, Manchester United will play Paris Saint-Germain at home, while Barcelona, the favorites to win the competition, will welcome Oud-Heverly Leuven, who will be making his Belgium national team debut.
Barcelona will be among five of the 18 teams participating in the expanded tournament and will start the season with two consecutive wins.
familiar face
Eight-time champions Lyon and German powerhouse Wolfsburg are also two teams with perfect records ahead of their 11th meeting on Tuesday.
Lyon veteran Wendy Renard has featured in all 10 games and could become the first player to record 100 wins in official UEFA club competitions if Lyon extend their six-game winning streak against Wolfsburg.
Germany international Jules Brandt switched teams in the off-season and enjoyed his best game to date with Lyon. 3-0 victory over St. Polten. Lyon is 2-1 win over Arsenal.
arsenal challenge
Arsenal bounced back from that defeat. win against benfica But they will face a Bayern team determined to make a statement on Wednesday after losing 7-1 to Barcelona in the opening game and then winning 2-1 against Juventus.
Bayern have scored 19 goals in their last four Bundesliga games and, like the men’s team, appear to have no rivals.
Bayern and Arsenal met in the group stage last season, with both teams recording wins at home.
spanish leader
Barcelona and Real Madrid are at the top of the league phase table after the opening match. Barcelona beat Bayern and then beat Roma 4-0, while Madrid beat Roma and PSG.
Barcelona retained three-time Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bommatti and Alexia Putelas amid a summer exodus due to financial problems caused by the men’s team. The Catalans are expected to win three out of three against Leuven on Wednesday, the day after Madrid host Paris FC. The French team won both of their previous matches, which took place in December 2023.
Other matches on Tuesday include St. Polten vs. Chelsea and Roma vs. Valerenga.
Wednesday’s matches include United vs. PSG, Atletico Madrid vs. Juventus and Benfica vs. Twente.
How to watch
The contest includes new broadcasting contract It will partner with pay-TV operator Disney+ through the 2030 season. Some matches will be broadcast live on free national networks.
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