There’s a treat in the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday night as Manchester City take on holders Barcelona on Matchday 1 of the group stage.
Barcelona have emerged as the continent’s dominant force in the women’s game post-pandemic. The Catalans have lifted the trophy three times since 2021 and have won the competition in back-to-back years heading into 2024/25.
Barca have also won five consecutive Liga F titles at a canter and have started the new season with five wins from five. Their last defeat arrived against Chelsea on 20 April earlier this year.
An imposing task awaits Gareth Taylor’s City side, there’s no doubt about that. The two-time UWCL semi-finalists lack pedigree on the continental stage but are one of the best teams in the competition having gone toe-to-toe with Chelsea in the Women’s Super League last season.
City sit atop the WSL table through three games heading into Wednesday’s bout and will be aiming to send a massive statement with a midweek victory to kick off their European campaign.
Here is 90min’s guide to this blockbuster UWCL group stage clash.
Man City vs Barcelona H2H Record (All Games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Man City |
Barcelona |
|---|---|
|
Man City 2-0 West Ham – 06/10/24 |
Madrid CFF 1-8 Barcelona – 05/10/24 |
|
Man City 1-0 Brighton – 29/09/24 |
Barcelona 10-1 Granada – 28/09/24 |
|
Man City 3-0 Paris FC – 26/09/24 |
Sevilla 0-1 Barcelona – 21/09/24 |
|
Arsenal 2-2 Man City – 22/09/24 |
Barcelona 3-1 Real Sociedad – 13/09/24 |
|
Paris FC 0-5 Man City – 18/09/24 |
Deportivo La Coruna 0-3 Barcelona – 08/09/24 |
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
DAZN UK, TNT Sports 1, discovery+, discovery+ app |
|
United States |
DAZN USA |
|
Canada |
DAZN Canada |
Taylor rotated lightly at the weekend but star striker Khadija Shaw and summer arrival Vivianne Miedema should return to the City XI on Wednesday. While Shaw should get the nod up top, the WSL’s all-time leading scorer will work just off the Jamaican in a deeper attacking role.
Sandy MacIver and Risa Shimizu are both recovering from long-term knee injuries, but Jess Park may return to the matchday squad. Park missed Sunday’s victory over West Ham due to a foot issue.
Laia Aleixandri, who spent five years at Barca as a youth and reserve team player, is expected to start at centre-back.
Man City predicted lineup vs Barcelona (4-3-3): Yamashita; Casparij, Aleixandri, Greenwood, Ouahabi; Park, Hasegawa, Miedema; Fujino, Hemp, Shaw.
Former Man City goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck joined Barca in the summer but is unlikely to be available for Wednesday’s game. Salma Paralluelo is also set to miss out for the away side.
Barca rested many players for their 8-1 thumping of Madrid CFF at the weekend, although Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati missed the victory with a knock. There’s hope she’ll be fine to travel to Manchester, however.
If she is fit to feature, Bonmati will make up a third of Barca’s excellent midfield alongside Lioness Keira Walsh and two-time Ballon d’Or victor Alexia Putellas.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Man City (4-3-3): Coll; Batlle, Engen, Leon, Rolfo; Bonmati, Walsh, Putellas; Graham Hansen, Pajor, Pina.
The back-to-back champions are the team to beat in this competition and head into this bout having scored eight times in the second half at the weekend. They’re in a rampant mood, although City will be their sternest test since they overcame Lyon in last season’s final.
The hosts will be desperate to land an early blow on the holders and undoubtedly have the quality to hurt the visitors. This should be a cracking game, although periods of tension should be expected. It may be a contest in which neither team deserves to lose.
