Entering Gameweek Three of the UWCL League Phase - Introducing this Season’s Champions League Participants
The UWCL's league phase is back in full swing. From record champions to first-time participants, 18 clubs from 11 countries are fighting for their spot in the next round, so let's take a look at all of this year's UWCL clubs and how they have done across the first two matchdays.
Barcelona Femení (Spain)
1st - 6 points, +9 goals
After winning the quadruple last season, the reigning European champions are back to compete for what could become their fifth Champions League title. Ranked number one in the current UEFA ranking, Barcelona have also won the Liga F a record-breaking eleven times and the Cup twelve times. The Catalonian’s have incredible squad depth, including established international players such as Aitana Bonmatí, Patri Guijarro or Irene Paredes, as well as last year's top goalscorer of the UWCL, Ewa Pajor. Their younger players, such as Claudia Julià Martinez or Sydney Schertenleib have already drawn a lot of eyes their way over the past few years and will undoubtedly continue to do so. Barça are also known for their huge crowds, in April 2022, their game against VfL Wolfsburg attracted 91.648 spectators to Camp Nou, setting a new (official) attendance record in women's football.
Barcelona won 5-2 against Paris FC and followed that up with a 6-0 victory over AS Roma. Ewa Pajor and Caroline Graham Hansen have both scored three goals so far, Claudia Pina found the back of the net twice and Kerolin and Clara Serrajordi Díaz both scored one goal each as well.
Upcoming schedule:
29.10.: HB Køge (away), 11.11.: Arsenal (home), 19.11.: Servette FCC (home), 16.12.: Bayern München (away)
OL Lyonnes (France)
2nd - 4 points, +8 goals
Lyon are arguably the most successful European women's football team of the past two decades. Having won the UWCL eight times in total, they have fallen short in the competition ever since their most recent win in 2022. After finishing runners-up last season, Lyon are still number two on the UEFA-ranking. Last season, Lyon won the Division 1 for the 19th time and additionally won the Coupe de France for the eleventh time, they are unrivaled on the domestic stage. OL have a wide squad featuring established players such as captain Wendie Renard, Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Weir, as well as a number of young talents who have already made a name for themselves, including Lily Yohannes and Salma Parulluelo.
OL Lyonnes won their first game 8-0 against Servette FCC before drawing 0-0 against Chelsea. Their top scorer so far is Marie-Antoinette Katoto, who scored a hat-trick against the Swiss side, with Melchie Dumornay right behind her with two goals and Inès Benyahia scored once as well.
Upcoming schedule:
28.10.: Inter Milano (home), 11.11.: Juventus (away), 18.11.: Arsenal (away), 16.12.: BK Häcken (home)
Paris Saint-Germain (France)
3rd - 4 points, +5 goals
The 2020/21 champions of France are trying to return to their former European glory. After finishing runners-up in 2014/15 and 2016/17 and making seven semi-final appearances in total, their last few Champions Leagues campaigns have been rather unsuccessful. After losing qualifying round two to Juventus in 2024, they finished last season's UWCL league phase in 17th place out of 18, scoring only two points in six games. They still rank seventh on the UEFA ranking, however. On the domestic level, they keep falling short to Lyon. They did, however, manage to win the Première Ligue once, ending Lyon's 14-years winning streak. PSG have finished second in the league twelve times and have won the Coupe de France four times despite reaching the final eleven times. Finishing third in the Première Ligue qualified them for the second round of the UWCL playoffs, where they first drew 1-1 against Eintracht Frankfurt before winning 5-1 at home. Beside internationally established players such as Sakina Karchaoui, Katarzyna Kiedrzynek or Paulina Dudek, PSG's squad also features younger players such as Tara Elimbi, Léa Morissaint or Marie Lafontaine
After a 1-1 draw in their first game against Real Madrid, PSG won 5-0 against OH Leuven. Sakina Karchaoui scored two goals, one of them from the spot, Rasheedat Ajibade and Yaya both scored once and Naomie Feller delivered two goals and two assists against Leuven.
Upcoming schedule:
29.10.: Manchester City (away), 10.11.: Bayern München (home), 18.11.: Chelsea (away), 16.12.: Juventus (home)
Bayern München (Germany)
4th - 4 points, +3 goals
Since VfL Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt both failed to make it to the league phase this season, all German eyes are on Bayern. After finishing last season's league phase in fourth place and therefore advancing directly to the quarter-finals, they beat Manchester United but fell to eventual champions Barcelona in Bayern's third overall UWCL semi-finals. The reigning German champions rank fourth at the UEFA coefficient-ranking. The club has won seven national league titles, four of them in the past four seasons, and have won the DFB Pokal three times. Bayern's squad is a mixture of experienced international players, such as Pernille Harder, Linda Dallmann and Magdalena Eriksson, and young talents such as summer signing Sophie Proost, Alara and Kassandra Potsi.
The club drew 2-2 in their opening game against Manchester City before beating Benfica 3-0. Klara Bühl, Pernille Harder, Franziska Kett and Giulia Gwinn have all scored once so far.
Upcoming schedule:
28.10.: Real Madrid (home), 10.11.: PSG (away), 19.11.: Austria Wien (away), 16.12.: Barcelona (home)
Arsenal (England)
5th - 4 points, +1 goal
The two-time UWCL champions are back and will surely be looking for silverware once again. Last season marked their third Champions League semi-final in a row, which they lost to Lyon after beating the French champions the year before to make it to the final, where they then defeated Barcelona to win their second European title. On the national level, Arsenal remain the team with the most league titles, with 15, even though they have only won one title in the last ten years. They have also won the FA Cup a record-breaking 14 times but haven't won it either since 2016. The English side is fifth in the UEFA ranking and qualified for the league phase by finishing second in the Women's Super League last season. Arsenal have plenty of experienced international players, such as Kim Little, Steph Catley and Stina Blackstenius while also establishing younger talents such as Lisa Baum, Michelle Agyemang and Katie Reid.
After narrowly beating HB Køge 1-0 thanks to a penalty by Mariona Caldentey in injury time, Arsenal drew 2-2 against Paris FC, with early goals from Alessia Russo and Georgia Stanway but defensive errors let the Parisian side back in.
Upcoming schedule:
28.10.: Benfica (home), 11.11.: FC Barcelona (away), 19.11.: OL Lyonnes (home), 16.12.: Inter Milano (away)
Inter Milano (Italy)
6th - 4 points, +1 goal
Emotions ran high when Cecilía Rúnarsdóttir saved Wolfsburg's penalty and when Ivana Andrés Sanz buried the ball in the net, there was no more holding back. FC Internazionale Milano has made it to the UWCL league phase for the first time in their history. They had already reached the Champions League qualifying rounds last season but had lost to SK Brann in the second round. Their run in the Europa Cup last season ended in the round of 16, where they narrowly lost to BK Häcken, who would later become champions. Inter's story isn't just one story, they acquired the sporting rights and the entire team from A.S.D. Femminile Inter Milano - who, despite the similar name, were not connected to Inter Milan before - in 2018 and managed to get promoted to the Serie A immediately. Inter's highest league finish so far has been second place, which they achieved in each of the past two seasons. Milano are ranked 49th by UEFA, making them the second-lowest-ranked team in this season's league phase, but from their results so far you wouldn’t know it. Experienced international players such as Emma Kullberg, Lina Magull and Ivana Andrés play alongside younger talents such as Marija Milinković, Maša Tomašević or Haley Bugeja
After winning their first ever UWCL league-phase game 1-0 against BK Häcken, Inter drew 1-1 against Austria Wien, scoring the equaliser in injury-time. The goals were scored by Haley Bugeja and Ivana Andrés.
Upcoming schedule:
28.10.: OL Lyonnes (away), 10.11.: Manchester City (home), 18.11.: Real Madrid (away), 16.12.: Arsenal (home)
Chelsea (England)
7th - 4 points, +1 goal
The record Women's Super League champions are determined to finally get their first European title after finishing runners-up once and taking part in six semi-finals in total. Chelsea finished third in the league phase last season before losing in the quarter-final to one of their biggest rivals, Arsenal. Despite being ranked third overall by UEFA, Chelsea have not been able to win the Champions League yet. They have, however, won the WSL eight times, including six consecutive titles, and have brought home six FA Cup trophies. After finishing third in the league last season, they had to play Real Sociedad in qualifying, whom they beat 6-2 on aggregate. Chelsea have a big squad depth, with internationally experienced players such as Katie McCabe, Kadeisha Buchanan and Lucy Bronze mixed with younger talents that had their breakthrough rather recently like Lexi Potter, Veerle Buurman and Alyssa Thompson.
In their first league phase game, they beat Austria Wien 1-0 before securing a goalless draw against OL Lyonnes. Their only goalscorer so far is Wieke Kaptein.
Upcoming schedule:
28.10.: AS Roma (home), 10.11.: BK Häcken (away), 18.11.: PSG (home), 16.12.: OH Leuven (away)
HB Køge (Denmark)
8th - 3 points, +3 goals
The reigning Danish champions made it back to the league/group stage for the second time after already having a go in 2021/22. The club won the A-Liga for the fourth time this year, alongside their first ever Danish Cup win. After losing qualifying to Juventus Turin and Kuopion Palloseura in previous years, they beat Latvian side Riga FC and Scottish club Hearts of Midlothian in the first two qualifying rounds this season. Køge ultimately secured their place in the league phase with a 2-1 aggregate win against PSV Eindhoven. Køge are ranked 45th by UEFA but that won't stop them from giving it their all. Experienced international players such as Nadia Nadim, Kyra Caruso and Simone Boye Sørensen play alongside younger talents such as Zuzanna Witek, Emelia Óskarsdóttir or Emma Flick.
Despite a fantastic performance against Arsenal, they lost 0-1 due to a penalty in injury time but they went on to win 5-1 against Servette FCC. Besides Servette's own goal, Macy Ruth Schultz, Nadia Nadim, Kyra Carusa and Emelia Óskarsdóttir all scored one goal each for Køge.
Upcoming schedule:
29.10.: Barcelona (home), 11.11.: OH Leuven (away), 19.11.: Paris FC (away), 16.12.: Benfica (home)
Juventus (Italy)
9th - 3 points, +2 goals
Since buying their Serie A license from a previously dissolved team in 2017, Juventus Turin have been a storm rolling through Italy's top division, becoming one of the country's most successful women's teams. They have finished in the top three every single year, winning the league six times and the Coppa Italia four times. In the 2021/22 UWCL season, Juve made it as far as the quarter-finals, losing only 3-4 on aggregate to Lyon, who would later crown themselves European champions. After losing qualifying to Wolfsburg last season, Turin went on to finish third in the Serie A, booking their qualifying playoff spot once again. This season, they beat Portuguese side SCU Torreense and Swedish club Hammarby IF before winning against Austrian club St. Pölten. Due to their good form and relatively consistent UWCL participations, Juventus are currently ranked ninth by UEFA. Besides internationally established players such as Cecilia Salvai, Tatiana Pinto and Alba Redondo, Juve's squad also features younger players such as Estela Carbonell, Eva Schatzer and Ornella Graziani.
Juventus lost their opening match 1-2 to Benfica but then beat BK Häcken 3-0. Alba Redondo scored in both matches and Tatiana Pinto and Emma Godø each scored once.
Upcoming schedule:
29.10.: Austria Wien (away), 11.11.: OL Lyonnes (home), 18.11.: OH Leuven (home), 16.12.: PSG (away)
Benfica (Portugal)
10th - 3 points, -2 goals
Portugal's most dominant team of recent years is back on the European stage. After their foundation in December 2017, Sport Lisboa e Benfica's women's team started in the second Portuguese division and immediately advanced to the Campeonato Nacional Feminino, Portugal's top flight. Benfica have won every league title since arriving in the top division in 2019, with the exception of the 2019–20 season, when the league was suspended due the pandemic. Beside their six league titles, they have also won three Portuguese Cups. They played in the Champions League for the first time in 2021 and reached their best result by making it to the quarter-finals in the 2023/24 season, where they lost to OL Lyonnes. After only scoring two points last season, the reigning Portuguese champions finished 16th and didn't make it to the UWCL knockout stage. UEFA currently ranks Benfica twelfth in Europe. Their squad is a mixture of experienced international players, such as Ana Borges, Pauleta and Lúcia Alves, and young talents such as Frøya Dorsin, Carolina Tristão and Tinkara Testen.
After a 2-1 win in their first game against Juventus, Benfica lost 0-3 to Bayern München. Marit Bratberg Lund scored both of their goals, one of them from the penalty spot.
Upcoming schedule:
28.10.: Arsenal (away), 11.11.: Austria Wien (home), 19.11.: AS Roma (home), 16.12.: HB Køge (away)
Manchester City (England)
11th - 2 points, ±0 goals
England's reigning champions are trying to return to their former European results. After making it to the semi-finals in 2016/17 and 2017/18, their latest Champions Leagues runs have been rather unsuccessful. Between their quarter-final appearances in 2020/21 and 2024/25, they didn’t make it to the group/league phase at all - the two times they did reach qualifying, they were defeated by Real Madrid - and didn't even reach qualifying once again last season. Despite usually finishing somewhere in the top four in the Women's Super League, their recent European struggles have left them 19th in the UEFA ranking. Man City have won the WSL twice, finishing second seven times and have won the FA cups four times. Besides internationally established players such as Alex Greenwood, Ayaka Yamashita and Beth Mead, City's squad also features younger players currently making a name for themselves such as Iman Beney, Carlotta Wamser and Aoba Fujino.
Man City drew their opening match 2-2 with Bayern and then drew 1-1 against Real Madrid. Beth Mead and Carlotta Wamser scored in the first match, while Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw scored against Madrid.
Upcoming schedule:
29.10.: PSG (home), 10.11.: OL Lyonnes (away), 18.11.: BK Häcken (away), 16.12.: Austria Wien (home)
Real Madrid (Spain)
12th - 2 points, ±0 goals
Since merging with and acquiring all rights of formerly independent Primera División Club Deportivo TACÓN in 2020, Real Madrid CF have established themselves as one of Spain's most successful women's teams. Except for their third-place finish in 2021/22, they have finished second in the league every year since absorbing the former club. Despite making it to the semi-finals twice and the final once, Madrid have not yet been able to win the Copa de la Reina. In the 2021/22 season, Real made their UWCL debut, reaching the quarter-finals, before losing 3-8 on aggregate to their Spanish rivals Barcelona. After reaching the quarter-finals again in the past two seasons, Madrid finished second in the Primera División once again last season, booking their qualifying playoff spot once again. This season, they won against Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam and therefore made the league phase. Due to their good form in the league and consistent UWCL participation, Real Madrid are currently ranked eight by UEFA. Besides internationally established players such as Merle Frohms, Sandie Toletti and Sara Däbritz, Real's squad also features younger talents such as Felicia Schröder, Silvi and Irune Dorado.
Madrid drew their opening match 1-1 against PSG and then drew 1-1 again against Manchester City. Felicia Schröder scored in the first match and Linda Caicedo in the second one.
Upcoming schedule:
28.10.: Bayern München (away), 10.11.: Paris FC (home), 18.11.: Inter Milano (home), 16.12.: AS Roma (away).
Austria Wien (Austria)
13th - 1 point, -1 goal
There was no holding back after the final whistle blew in Vienna. FK Austria Wien made it to the UWCL league phase for the first time in their history, claiming a 4-0 win against SK Brann after losing the first leg 1-2 to the Norwegian side. The Austria had already reached last season's Champions League qualifying but had lost to Paris FC in the third round. Their path in the Europa Cup ended in the quarter-finals, where they lost to Sparta Praha. Austria Wien's story isn't just Austria Wien's, the club first cooperated with and later overtook USC Landhaus Wien, a long established team in Austria's ÖFB Bundesliga that was particularly successful from the 70s until the early 2000s, winning twelve league titles and eleven ÖFB Cups. For three years, the two teams cooperated, playing under a joint name before Austria Wien took over completely in 2021. After finishing second in the league the previous year, Wien completed a domestic double last season by winning both the Bundesliga and the ÖFB Cup. Austria Wien are ranked 46th by UEFA. Experienced international players such as Virgina Kirchberger, Verena Hanshaw and Carina Wenninger play alongside young talents like Valentina Pötzl, Almedine Šišić and Lucia Orkić.
After narrowly losing their first-ever UWCL league game 0-1 against Chelsea FC, they drew 1-1 against Inter Milan, with Inter scoring the equaliser in injury-time. Wien's goal was scored by Modesta Uka, who had already scored a hat-trick in their second leg qualifying match against Brann.
Upcoming schedule:
29.10.: Juventus (home), 11.11.: Benfica (away), 19.11.: Bayern München (home), 16.12.: Manchester City (away).
Paris FC (France)
14th - 1 point, -3 goals
Since acquiring former UWCL participant and French champion FC Féminin Juvisy Essonne in 2017, Paris FC have made the UWCL league phase/group stage twice before. They made it as far as the round of 16 last year, where they were defeated by Real Madrid. Juvisy made it all the way to the semi-finals back in 2012/13, losing to their national rivals Lyon. They had played in the Première Ligue since 1987, winning the league six times and the Coupe de France once between the 90s to early 2000s, making them one of the most successful French women's teams. Since the Paris FC takeover, the team has not been able to win the league, usually ending the season in second or third place, behind Lyon and always competing for second with PSG. They did, however, win the cup once more. After a fairly successful past season, finishing vice-champions in France and reaching the round of 16 in the UWCL, Paris FC are ranked 14th by UEFA. Their squad is a mixture of experienced international players, such as Clara Mateo, Théa Gréboval and Evelyne Viens, and young talents such as Aurélie Reynders, Maeline Mendy and Sheika Scott.
After a 2-5 loss in their first game against Barcelona, Paris FC drew 2-2 with Arsenal. Clara Matéo scored in both games, Evelyne Viens scored once and Maeline Mendy delivered one goal from the penalty spot.
Upcoming schedule:
29.10.: BK Häcken (home), 10.11.: Real Madrid (away), 19.11.: HB Køge (home), 16.12.: Servette FCC (away).
OH Leuven (Belgium)
15th - 1 point, -5 goals
The reigning Belgian champions made it back to the league phase for the second time after their European debut last season. And what a debut that was, Leuven finished 12th and secured the last remaining knockout stage spot, taking them to the round of 16 against Arsenal. The club won the Belgian Women's Super League for the second time in a row this year, but they have yet to win the Beker van België Cup. Starting out as Zwarte Duivels Oud-Heverlee and first reaching the Eerste klasse - then Belgium's top division - in 1995, there was a huge fusion in Leuven's football scene in 2002 that resulted in one big club, Oud-Heverlee Leuven. The team continued to play in the Eerste klasse until Belgium and the Netherlands established the joint Women's BeNe League in 2012. After 3 years, the leagues were split up again and Leuven became one of the founding members of the new Women's Super League, finishing higher and higher each season. After winning the league again last season, the Belgian side won their qualifying matches against Serbian club TSC Bačka Topola and Turkish side Fenerbahçe before beating Czarni Sosnowiec to secure their second league phase run. Leuven are ranked 35th by UEFA but they will surely try to repeat what they did last season. Experienced players such as Julie Biesmans, Jeslynn Kuijpers and Agathe Ollivier play alongside younger talents such as Flo Hermans, Kadhiya De Ceuster and Lily Hoekx.
Leuven drew their opening game 0-0 against AS Roma and then lost 0-5 to PSG.
Upcoming schedule:
28.10.: Servette FCC (away), 11.11.: HB Køge (home), 18.11.: Juventus (away), 16.12.: Chelsea (home).
AS Roma (Italy)
16th - 1 point, -6 goals
Italy's reigning champions are hungry for European glory. Since AS Roma took over the Serie A license from RES Donna Roma in 2018, the club has gradually established itself as one of the best teams in Italy's top division. For the past five years, they finished in the top three, winning the league and the Coppa Italia three times each. In their debut 2022/23 UWCL season, Roma made it as far as the quarter-finals, losing to Barcelona, who would later crown themselves European Champions. While they have made it to the group/league phase every year since, they have not qualified for the knockout stage again, finishing 14th last season with just four points. After winning last year's domestic double in Italy, Roma hope to make it out of the UWCL league phase this year. Due to their good form and relatively consistent UWCL participation, Associazione Sportiva Roma are currently ranked eleventh by UEFA. Beside internationally established players like Rachele Baldi, Manuela Giugliano and Frederikke Thøgersen, Roma's squad also features younger talents like Ella Ottey, Giada Pellegrino Cimò and Alayah Pilgrim.
Roma drew 0-0 in their opening match against OH Leuven before losing 0-6 to Barcelona.
Upcoming schedule:
28.10.: Chelsea (away), 10.11.: Servette FCC (home), 19.11.: Benfica (away), 16.12.: Real Madrid (home).
BK Häcken (Sweden)
17th - 0 points, -4 goals
The reigning Europa Cup champions are back in the Champions League and after last year's success, they are determined to re-establish themselves among Europe's football elite once again. Before becoming the women's section of Bollklubben Häcken - but still remaining a separate club! - in 2021, the club was founded as Landsvetters IF and operated as Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC from 2004 to 2020. The Swedish Damallsvenskan operates throughout the calendar year, unlike most major European leagues, and Göteborg won the league for the second time last year. With just five games left to play this season, Häcken are currently first in the table, five points ahead of Hammarby IF. The club has also won the Svenska Cupen four times. After reaching the quarter-finals of the UWCL three times throughout their history, Göteborg narrowly lost last season's third qualifying round to Atlético Madrid. That qualified them for the newly established Europa Cup, though, and after beating GKS Katowice, Inter Milano, Breiðablik and Eintracht Frankfurt, they found themselves competing in the final against Swedish rivals Hammarby IF. Häcken managed to win both games and crowned themselves champions of the inaugural UWEC season. They are currently ranked 10th by UEFA. Their squad is a mixture of experienced international players, such as Aivi Luik - who became the oldest player ever to play in the UWCL group or league phase -, Jennifer Falk and Tabitha Tindell and young talents such as Hanna Karlsson, Thelma Pálmadóttir and Tilde Karlsson.
Häcken lost their first game 0-1 against Inter Milano and their second one 0-3 against Juventus.
Upcoming schedule:
29.10.: Paris FC (away), 10.11.: Chelsea (home), 18.11.: Manchester City (home), 16.12.: OL Lyonnes (away).
Servette FCC (Switzerland)
18th - 0 points, -12 goals
Servette FC Chênois completes this year's UWCL lineup. The reigning Swiss champions have already made it to the group stage in 2021/22 and, after losing in qualifying twice, didn’t even make it to qualifying last season. This year, they beat Dinamo Minsk, Aktobe and finally Sparta Praha to make it to the league phase. Starting out as the women's team of CSC Chênois, they became independent in 2012 as FF Chênois Genève before joining Servette FC in 2017. Just a year later, they joined the Nationalliga A, then the highest women's league in Switzerland. Servette were the first team to win the newly rebranded Women's Super League in 2020/21 and made their champions league debut that same season. After narrowly missing out on the league championship twice, Servette won the Women's Super League again in 2023/24 and for a third time last season. They've also won the Schweizer Fußballcup for a third time this year. Servette are the lowest ranked team by UEFA to make it to the league phase this year, ranked 57th. Besides experienced players such as Nataša Andonova, Noémie Carage and Paula Serrano, Servette's squad also features younger players such as Amina Muratović, Garance Nein and Chiara Wallin.
After a 0-8 defeat in their first game against Lyon, Servette also lost their second game rather significantly with 1-5 against HB Køge. Laia Ballesté scored their only goal so far.
Upcoming Schedule:
28.10.: OH Leuven (home), 10.11.: AS Roma (away), 19.11.: Barcelona (away), 16.12.: Paris FC (home).