Arsenal leaving underdog tag behind & Barcelona vulnerable as Women Champions League returns

Just over four months after Arsenal stunned Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League final to lift their second European crown, Europe’s most prestigious club competition is back. The new campaign kicks off with storylines everywhere you look – not least the Gunners’ heavyweight opener against eight-time champions Lyon, a rematch of last season’s semi-final.

This year the UWCL feels refreshed. The competition now mirrors the men’s edition with a league phase replacing the old group stage, giving fans more big fixtures right from the off. Newcomers like Manchester United and OH Leuven join the fold, while Atletico Madrid return after several years away. Add in the usual giants – Chelsea, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, PSG, Real Madrid and Juventus – and the stage is set for a campaign bursting with intrigue.

Arsenal leaving their underdog tag behind

Alessia Russo Arsenal Women UWCL trophy 2025 Barcelona

Arsenal’s triumph in May was a fairytale. Few gave them a chance against Barcelona, yet they produced the upset of the decade to bring the trophy back to north London. But that victory comes with consequences: no longer plucky outsiders, they start this season as holders, expected to contend, not surprise.

For manager Renée Slegers, it’s a new kind of pressure. Arsenal haven’t always been favourites, either in Europe or even domestically, where Chelsea have dominated. Now the Gunners have a target on their backs. That challenge starts immediately with Lyon, who will be hungry for revenge after last season’s thrilling semi-final defeat.

The concern? Arsenal’s domestic form. They’ve already dropped points in three of their first five WSL games, slipping five behind Chelsea. To defend their European crown, they’ll need to rediscover the sharpness and resilience that carried them through last season’s campaign.

Barcelona suddenly look beatable

Aitana Bonmati Barcelona Women 2024-25

For the last half-decade, Barcelona have been the benchmark in women’s football. Five straight UWCL finals, three titles, and a squad that seemed untouchable. But this summer finally exposed some cracks.

Financial restrictions bit hard, leaving the Catalans with just one senior arrival and a raft of departures. Four first-team players and seven youth prospects moved on, shrinking the squad to just 18 senior players. Compare that with the depth at Chelsea or Lyon and suddenly Barca’s aura of invincibility looks shakier.

Of course, their starting XI remains elite – six players ranked in the Ballon d’Or’s top 13 this year. But questions linger: what happens if injuries strike? Can academy talents step up fast enough? And will this thinner squad cope with the demands of four competitions? For once, Europe’s rivals sense an opening.

Chelsea’s Champions League credentials

Chelsea have lived in Barcelona’s shadow in recent seasons. Since losing 4-0 in the 2021 final, the Blues have been eliminated by Barca in three consecutive semi-finals, including a bruising 8-2 aggregate defeat last year.

This time, though, the draw has handed them an early shot at redemption. The two sides will meet in November in a one-off league phase clash – their first single-legged duel since that final. It’s a perfect barometer for Emma Hayes’ side: are they ready to take the final step and lift the one trophy that continues to elude them?

Chelsea certainly have the talent and depth. The bigger question is whether they can finally conquer the psychological hurdle that Barcelona have so often represented.

Lyon refreshed and ready to rise again

No discussion of the UWCL is complete without Lyon. The competition’s most successful club, with eight titles, are under new management – and looking dangerous again.

Jonatan Giráldez, the coach who guided Barcelona to two European crowns, has taken charge. The squad has been bolstered with big-name arrivals: Marie-Antoinette Katoto, PSG’s record scorer; Germany star Jule Brand; teenage US sensation Lily Yohannes; and midfielder Ingrid Engen, who thrived under Giráldez in Spain.

There has been turnover – legends like Eugénie Le Sommer and Dzsenifer Marozsán have moved on – but this feels more like evolution than decline. Lyon’s mix of proven winners and rising stars makes them formidable contenders once again.

Bayern Munich & the chasing pack

Every season, talk of the UWCL starts with Barcelona, Lyon and Chelsea. Arsenal’s breakthrough last year added another heavyweight to that mix. But who could be next to crash the party?

Bayern Munich look best placed. The German champions have a deep squad full of international stars and a proven record of big wins, including a memorable triumph over Barcelona. With Lena Oberdorf and Georgia Stanway fit again and new coach José Barcala at the helm, Bayern could be ready to take the leap from dark horse to genuine favourite.

PSG, Juventus and Real Madrid also boast plenty of individual quality. But can they translate that into a deep run this season? The league phase will be the perfect proving ground.

Manchester United & the newcomers’ story

One of the most fascinating subplots is Manchester United’s long-awaited debut. Since relaunching their women’s team in 2018, United have quickly risen to England’s elite. Now comes their first taste of the UWCL proper.

Their schedule is daunting: clashes with PSG, Lyon, Wolfsburg and Juventus. But this is the stage they’ve been building towards, and the opportunity to measure themselves against Europe’s best is invaluable.

Atletico Madrid also return to the competition’s main stage for the first time since 2021. With a strong start to their Liga F campaign, they’ll hope to re-establish themselves as a continental force.

Then there’s OH Leuven, Belgium’s champions and the tournament’s true Cinderella story. Having knocked out Rosengård in qualifying, they now face a dream schedule against Arsenal, Roma, PSG and Barcelona. For their players, simply sharing the pitch with Europe’s giants is a memory for life.

A season full of storylines

The Women’s Champions League always delivers, but this year feels especially rich with intrigue. Arsenal step into the spotlight as defending champions. Barcelona, once untouchable, look vulnerable. Chelsea chase the missing piece of their puzzle. Lyon are reloaded. And Bayern loom as potential disruptors.

Add in the excitement of new teams, the unpredictability of the league phase, and the hunger of Europe’s very best – and you have a recipe for a thrilling season.

The UWCL returns with a bang. And if the last campaign taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected.