From the Guardian · · 1m 50s
Women's Champions League wide open as Barcelona weakens
Barcelona's summer exodus has created genuine unpredictability in this season's competition, with English clubs and OL Lyonnes ready to challenge.
In brief
Barcelona's summer exodus has created genuine unpredictability in this season's competition, with English clubs and OL Lyonnes ready to challenge. Barcelona lost four key players from their title-winning squad, making them beatable for the first time in years despite remaining favorites. Originally reported by the…
Barcelona's dynasty faces real threat
The four-time champions in six years lost four players from their title-winning squad this summer, including Alexia Putellas and Mapi León to London City Lionesses.
“This competition is wide open.”
Key departures reshape the champions
Ona Batlle joined Arsenal while Salma Paralluelo signed for OL Lyonnes, the team Barcelona beat four-nil in last May's final.
Barcelona still has elite talent
Aitana Bonmatí, winner of the last three Ballons d'Or, leads a squad that includes top scorer Ewa Pajor and captain Patri Guijarro.
OL Lyonnes eyes their first title since 2022
The eight-time winners added Salma Paralluelo and Scotland midfielder Caroline Weir, hoping to reclaim European glory after a four-year drought.
Arsenal strengthens with top talent
The 2025 champions added Georgia Stanway from Bayern and Ona Batlle from Barcelona, giving them world-class options off the bench.
Manchester City has unfinished business
The English domestic champions reached the quarter-finals in 2025 but haven't made a semi-final since 2017-18, with Khadija Shaw ready to lead their European push.
Chelsea chases their first final since 2021
The Blues lost to Barcelona in the 2021 final and reached the quarter-finals last season, with the 2026 final being held in Warsaw.
Wolfsburg's streak ends in shock
The two-time champions' 14-year run of consecutive appearances ended when they lost to Inter on penalties in qualifying.
League phase format runs until December
Eighteen teams compete until December 16, with the top four advancing directly to quarter-finals in March and teams ranked fifth through twelfth playing a playoff in February.
The short version
Barcelona lost four key players from their title-winning squad, making them beatable for the first time in years despite remaining favorites.
