The UEFA Women’s Champions League saw all three English clubs Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City claim crucial victories on matchday five, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the group stages. As the battle for the top spots intensifies, here are five key takeaways from the latest round of European action.
1. Russo Shines as Arsenal Extend Their Winning Streak
Arsenal’s impressive form under interim coach Renee Slegers continued with a 3-1 win over Valerenga in Oslo. The victory marked their sixth consecutive win, keeping their unbeaten run intact in the Women’s Champions League.
Alessia Russo was undoubtedly the star of the night, scoring a brace that helped secure all three points for the Gunners. The England international displayed her clinical finishing with a composed strike into the bottom-right corner to give Arsenal the lead early on. Despite playing in a slightly wider role than usual, alongside Stina Blackstenius, Russo’s performance showed why she is in such devastating form.
The brace marked Russo’s eighth goal in nine competitive fixtures for Arsenal, underlining her resurgence after a period of doubt. Her growing confidence and sharpness in front of goal are key factors in Arsenal’s resurgence in European football, which has made them a formidable force in the competition.
2. Chelsea Continue Their Unbeaten Run
Chelsea’s dominant 6-1 victory over FC Twente at Stamford Bridge showcased their strength and depth in the Women’s Champions League. The Blues extended their unbeaten run to 14 games under coach Sonia Bompastor, further solidifying their place as one of Europe’s top teams.
Despite several key injuries, including those to Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel, Chelsea demonstrated their strength in numbers. In a game that saw six different goal scorers, Bompastor’s side was relentless, and their attack remains one of the most potent in Europe. The absence of star players hasn’t stopped Chelsea from continuing their march towards the knockout rounds, with their depth allowing them to maintain their dominance.
While Bompastor’s task of succeeding Emma Hayes has not been easy, her ability to rotate the squad without missing a beat has been remarkable. Chelsea’s efficiency and the breadth of talent at their disposal mean they remain a team that no opponent can take lightly, no matter the circumstances.
3. Injury Woes Pile Up for Manchester City
Injury problems continue to plague Manchester City, with captain Alex Greenwood suffering an early injury during their 2-0 victory over St. Polten. The centre-back appeared to injure her knee and was substituted early in the match, leaving City’s defense short-handed.
Though the extent of Greenwood’s injury is still unknown, it compounds an already challenging period for the Cityzens. Key players like Lauren Hemp, who is recovering from knee surgery, and Vivianne Miedema, who is expected to return in the new year, have already been sidelined. To make matters worse, star striker Khadija Shaw is also unlikely to return until the new year after undergoing scans for a potential injury.
The growing list of absentees leaves head coach Gareth Taylor with fewer options as City prepare for their crucial match against Barcelona in Spain. With a knockout spot on the line, City will need to be tactical and resilient, relying on their depth to continue competing at the highest level.
4. Familiar Faces Dominate the Quarter-Final Spots
As we approach matchday six, the makeup of the quarter-finalists in the Women’s Champions League is largely familiar. Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City have all advanced to the knockout stages, along with heavyweights Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Wolfsburg, and Lyon.
This reinforces a recurring theme in European women’s football: the dominance of the established top clubs. Despite some promising performances from teams like Ajax, SK Brann, and Benfica last season, the final eight once again feature the same powerhouses, with no new surprises or dark horses breaking into the elite circle.
While this consistency highlights the strength of these clubs, it also reflects the current gap in competitiveness between the top teams and the rest of Europe. Results such as Arsenal’s 4-0 thrashing of Juventus and Barcelona’s 9-0 demolition of Hammarby underscore how much work is needed to close the gap for other clubs in the competition.
5. All to Play for on the Final Matchday
While the quarter-finalists are decided, matchday six still holds great significance for the English clubs, with top spot in their respective groups on the line. A victory for Arsenal, Chelsea, or Manchester City would secure them a better draw in the knockout rounds, giving them a potential advantage heading into the business end of the competition.
Chelsea currently sit at the top of their group, three points clear of Real Madrid. However, their position is far from secure, as a defeat to Real Madrid in Spain would see them lose the top spot due to head-to-head and goal difference.
Arsenal find themselves just one point behind Bayern Munich in their group, and a win over the German side next week would see them leapfrog their opponents to claim the group lead. The Gunners have been on a remarkable turnaround since their 5-2 loss to Bayern in the opening matchday, and they’ll be eager to complete the comeback and top the group.
Manchester City, meanwhile, face a difficult task away to defending champions Barcelona. While City currently lead their group, Barcelona will need to win by a two-goal margin to overtake them. A tough challenge awaits, but City hold the advantage and will be determined to top the group.
As the final matchday approaches, it’s all to play for in the Women’s Champions League. With key injuries, potential upsets, and intense battles for top spots, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the group stages. The three English sides Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City have put themselves in strong positions, but only time will tell if they can secure the top spots and avoid the tougher draws in the knockout rounds.
